Zheng Fengrong
Encyclopedia
Zheng Fengrong (Wade-Giles: Cheng Feng-jung), born in 1937 in Shandong
, is a former Chinese
athlete, who competed in the high jump
event.
Joining the national team in 1953, Fengrong broke the high jump world record with a jump of 1.77 m in 1957, making her the first Chinese woman to hold a sports world record. The domestic media hailed her as "the swallow who announced that the spring of China's sports has arrived," and Chinese research claims, that her training was twice as arduous as her foreign competitors. A 2007 profile in China Daily compared Zheng's popularity in her day with that of Liu Xiang
today.
Since the People's Republic of China
did not compete in the Summer Olympics between 1952 and 1984, Zheng could not participate in the 1956 competition
, won by Mildred McDaniel
, whose world record Zheng bettered. In her subsequent career and in retirement she won official honours and recognition as an early athletic success for the PRC. Though persecuted for "egotism" during the Cultural Revolution
, she eventually rose to become vice-secretary of the China State General Sports Administration
. She married the 1959 Chinese high jump champion, Duan Qiyan 段其炎.
Recently, Zheng was one of eight athletes who carried the Olympic flag in the 2008 Beijing Olympics
opening ceremonies
.
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
, is a former Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
athlete, who competed in the high jump
High jump
The high jump is a track and field athletics event in which competitors must jump over a horizontal bar placed at measured heights without the aid of certain devices in its modern most practiced format; auxiliary weights and mounds have been used for assistance; rules have changed over the years....
event.
Joining the national team in 1953, Fengrong broke the high jump world record with a jump of 1.77 m in 1957, making her the first Chinese woman to hold a sports world record. The domestic media hailed her as "the swallow who announced that the spring of China's sports has arrived," and Chinese research claims, that her training was twice as arduous as her foreign competitors. A 2007 profile in China Daily compared Zheng's popularity in her day with that of Liu Xiang
Liu Xiang
Liu Xiang is a Chinese 110 meter hurdler. Liu is an Olympic Gold medalist and World Champion. His 2004 Olympic gold medal was the first in a men's track and field event for China....
today.
Since the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
did not compete in the Summer Olympics between 1952 and 1984, Zheng could not participate in the 1956 competition
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
, won by Mildred McDaniel
Mildred McDaniel
Millie "Tex" McDaniel-Singleton was an American athlete, who competed mainly in the women's high jump event during her career....
, whose world record Zheng bettered. In her subsequent career and in retirement she won official honours and recognition as an early athletic success for the PRC. Though persecuted for "egotism" during the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
, she eventually rose to become vice-secretary of the China State General Sports Administration
State General Administration of Sports
State General Administration of Sports is the government agency responsible for sports in China. It is subordinate to the State Council. It also administers the All-China Sports Federation and Chinese Olympic Committee. .The agency is led by a director...
. She married the 1959 Chinese high jump champion, Duan Qiyan 段其炎.
Recently, Zheng was one of eight athletes who carried the Olympic flag in the 2008 Beijing Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
opening ceremonies
2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony
The 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony was held at the Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest. It began at 8:00 pm China Standard Time on August 8, 2008, as 8 is considered to be a lucky number. The number 8 is associated with prosperity and confidence in Chinese culture...
.