China furious over treatment of former sports hero
(NEWSER) - The fate of one former gymnastics prodigy has sparked outrage in China, following revelations that he has been reduced to begging on the streets of Beijing. Zhang Shangwu, 28, was sent to a gymnastics academy at age 5, made the national team at age 12, and in 2001 won two gold medals at the World University Games, the Telegraph reports. He was a shoo-in for the 2004 Olympic team, until an Achilles tendon injury forced him to retire—with a government payout of around $6,000. More»
