Chinese sailing champion Xu Lijia delivered an inspirational speech to Pao School students during her visit to the Secondary Division Monday, bringing the audience to its feet on several occasions as she recounted her arduous path to Olympic greatness. Xu won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, despite having just 50% of her hearing and little vision out of her left eye.
Pao School co-founder Philip Sohmen tells Xu Lijia about Sir YK Pao's illustrious life
Xu Lijia recounts to students her arduous path to Olympic glory
Pao School invited Xu to speak because she embodies the school’s core values. Her dedication to her studies and athletic prowess tie in with the school’s mission of developing the whole person in students. She also shows integrity in her endeavours and compassion for others.
‘Success doesn’t happen from individual efforts alone,’ Xu told students. ‘It depends on cooperation.’
Xu began her career in the water as a swimmer, but switched to sailing at the age of 10. Her strong performance at a training camp led to her being selected as one of three girls to be on the Shanghai Sailing Team. ‘Compared to swimming, sailing is much more interesting,’ she said. ‘We are dealing with nature, the uncertainty of the currents and waves’.
Pao School co-founder Philip Sohmen agrees that sailing is one of the most invigorating sports: ‘You need to be physically fit, mentally fit and be prepared for any kind of situation to happen. It takes a true champion to win in sailing,’ he said.
Xu showcased that spirit of a champion as she recounted to students how she trained for the London Olympics even as her broken hand (the injury occurred in January 2012) was still healing. Although she was in pain, she never gave up her goal of Olympic victory and went on to capture a gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics and was later named sailor of the year.
Xu also told students how she recited the passages in her English textbooks relentlessly to improve her pronunciation. ‘You don’t have to be in the Western world to become fluent in English,’ she said. ‘You can become very good at it if you put in the time and study hard’.
Xu Lijia donates a t-shirt she signed to Pao School
In an interview with Year 12 student Anita Zheng, Xu added that English can help students develop an international perspective and make friends in different countries.
Xu Lijia signs her name
Pao staff, student representatives and Xu Lujia in a group photo
As they concluded their conversation, Xu congratulated Pao School on its 10th anniversary. ‘I wish Pao School the very best for the future,’ she said. ‘I hope the school is able to send more and more globally-minded leaders out into the world’.
