Olympic champion accused of milking gold medal

• Source: Global Times
• [03:45 April 12 2010]
• Comments

Zhou received public support after a top sports official criticized her for thanking her mother before her country.

However, her jobs request made some think she is asking for too much.

A commentator from the Xinhua News Agency said Olympic medallists should not use their achievements to seek privilege.

"Currently, the number of people waiting to be employed total 200 million. Zhou's demand is hard to stop people from thinking that she's securing advantages through her influence," Wang Jingyu of Xinhua said.

Internet users also piled on the criticism.

"I was greatly touched when you said you want a better life for your parents. But now you are so greedy," an Internet user said on 21cn.com.

She had some supporters.

"Zhou just told the truth. It's the official who raised the question to begin with. There's nothing wrong with a desire to help her laid-off parents," Yang Lei, a Beijing computer engineer, told the Global Times.

Zhou tried to avoid reporters after the incident was reported, the Harbin-based New Evening News said Sunday.

"My child made the request without thinking," said Zhou Jiwen, the athlete's father, adding that the family received enough awards from the country.

A commentary by Yangzhou Evening News suggested that authorities should help athletes in need before they win medals.

"If Zhou Yang is not a champion, her family's poverty would not be known to anybody. But now, everything changed," Ma Erli, a columnist said on eastday.com, said.