2003: The “Image Project” of the Chinese Men’s Gymnastics Team

Sometimes, I run across an article that is too unexpected to stay buried in an archive. This is one of them.

Published in People’s Daily in March 2003, just months before the Chinese men’s team would win the team title in Anaheim, this piece offers a glimpse behind the medals and difficulty values. It’s not about start values or stuck landings. It’s about braces. Haircuts. Turned-up collars. Confidence. Image.

Under the headline “The Men’s Gymnastics Team’s ‘Image Project,’” the article follows stars like Li Xiaopeng and Teng Haibin as they fine-tune not just their routines, but their smiles — literally. What begins as a lighthearted look at a “brace trend” inside the team becomes something more revealing: a meditation on beauty, masculinity, performance, and the belief that gymnastics is as much art as sport.

Li Xiaopeng, Datum: 05.11.2003 Copyright: imago/Soccer Weekly

Note: These are not the photos that accompanied the article. But they do illustrate what the article is about.

The Men’s Gymnastics Team’s “Image Project”

They are the pride of the global sports world. They are conquerors of high-difficulty skills. They command attention wherever they appear. And so, in their pursuit of perfection, they seek beauty while maintaining a spirit of relentless hard work—fully committed to building their own “image project.”

“Brace-Faced Heartthrobs”

Within the Chinese men’s gymnastics team, a passion for looking good has long been intense and enduring. These young athletes all strive for perfection in their appearance—and now they are quite literally “armed to the teeth.”

Since Li Xiaopeng—hailed as the team’s “standard-bearer”—first appeared before last year’s Asian Games sporting braces and earning the nickname “brace-faced heartthrob,” a quiet “correction craze” has taken hold within the team. To date, there are already several such “brace-faced heartthrobs” in the men’s squad, whose smiles gleam with silver.

Li Xiaopeng, who has always paid close attention to his image, said, “While staying true to who I am, further improving myself helps build confidence.”

Meanwhile, young gymnast Teng Haibin, who had only recently begun wearing braces, appeared somewhat shy.

Zhang Jian, director of the Gymnastics Management Center, remarked, “Gymnastics has always been a sport that pursues beauty.”

And this current “brace trend” reflects the men’s team’s deep, internal drive for perfection.

A Sense of Style

For a long time, the young men of China’s gymnastics team have paid close attention to their demeanor and clothing style. Although their training schedule is extremely demanding—with less than a full day off each week—this rare free time becomes a precious opportunity for these high-spirited young athletes to “look cool.”

They carefully design looks that differ from their everyday training image, donning favorite outfits and fashionable clothes, temporarily switching roles and savoring a different state of mind.

In the prime of youth, they share the keen fashion instincts of many of their peers, showing meticulous care when it comes to hairstyles and clothing.

This brings to mind a moment before last year’s Busan Asian Games men’s team final, when the Chinese team discussed one final detail before taking the floor: “Should the collar of the warm-up suit be turned up or folded down?”

Li Xiaopeng answered decisively: “Up! It looks more spirited that way.”

Coaches Lead by Example

As head coach of the Chinese men’s gymnastics team, Huang Yubin is likewise someone who values appearance and personal bearing. Speaking about temperament and image, he said:

“Gymnastics is a sport with a very strong artistic element. The technical movements athletes perform on the competition floor are a kind of performance—a form of self-expression. So, if you want to strive for perfection and become a top-level gymnast, you must have first-class presence and temperament. You must project confidence and ease. That’s why having a heart that pursues beauty is so important.”

Xiao Man
People’s Daily, March 19, 2003, Page 8

男子体操队的“形象工程”

小满

他们是世界体坛的骄子，他们是高难动作的克星，他们备受瞩目。为此，他们追求完美，在保持刻苦攻坚精神的前提下追求美丽，全力打造自己的“形象工程”……

“牙套美男”

在中国男子体操队，爱美之风持久而猛烈，小伙子们个个追求形象上的完美，现在更是已经“武装到牙齿”。

从去年亚运会前被称为“领军人物”的李小鹏第一个以“牙套美男”的形象出现，中国男子体操队就暗暗兴起了一股“纠正风”，到现在为止，男队里咧嘴一笑银光灿灿的“牙套美男”已有若干。

一向重视形象的李小鹏说：“在保持真我本色的情况下，进一步完善自己，能增强自信心。”而刚刚戴上牙套不久的小将滕海滨，则显得有些腼腆。

体操中心主任张健说：“体操一贯以来就是一个追求美的项目。”而现在的“牙套之风”，正能让人感觉到男队从内而发的追求完美的心气儿。

着衣之味

一直以来，中国体操男队的小伙子们就都很注重自己的精神面貌和着装品味，虽然训练十分紧张，每周只有不到一天的休息时间，然而这正是这群意气风发的小伙子们宝贵的“扮酷”机会，他们会悉心地为自己设计出与平时不同的形象，穿起喜爱的各色时装，给自己换个角色，让自己有机会品味另一种心情。

正值青春年华的他们，也像许多同龄人一样有着敏锐的时尚嗅觉，对于发型、着装都是一丝不苟。