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The moral behaviour of Chinese delegations was stressed time and again, and often used as a counter-balancing force when defeats had been reported.
Entitling the success to Chinese, people and country, forms another main branch of strategy in face-enhancing situations for China. The raising of the Chinese national flag and playing of her anthem were often included in gold winning events and sometimes in the headlines. More so, an editorial with headline reading "I'd like to hear the anthem" appeared on the front page of the 8 August issue in 1984.
On the other hand, the successful events and athletes were often linked with leaders of the contingent and also of the country. Zhao Ziyang and Hu Yaobang were mentioned as having watched the winning events. Whenever a group of victorious athletes came back, they were often welcomed by leaders of the Party. The government leaders were also depicted as responsible for the victories. It had been the wishes of the leaders to see the women volleyball team winning the Olympic gold medal; it has been the guide of the leaders, the people's hope, the country's honour, the honour of being a Chinese that the women volleyball team won the most prized reward in sports. These victories were presents for the country and the people because gaining first places was always the errand of the athletes for the country. All these appear more often than the depiction of good tactics and good coaching. This was not even included in the men's win in volleyball. Rather, it was attributed to the support by the entire Chinese volleyball institution.
The status of the country, the four modernizations, the goodwill of the party, the kindness of the people had also been driving forces for the sportsmen. It was reported that because of the strength of the country, sports could be so strong (14 August, 1984). The performance of athletes had also been attributed to the status of China, a big and respectable country (1 August, 1984). In addition, the strength of the country stimulated athletes to work hard (headline on page three, 6 August, 1984). All these had induced pride among overseas Chinese (page three, 4 August, 1984).
Basking in reflected glory is also evident in the press reports. In 1985 and 1986, the organization of the two events was favourably elaborated and concluded with a note of Chinese participation in the Games. In 1986, Chinese participation was put in a context of overwhelming success. More countries got gold medals, more records were broken. Asian sports