From the gym to the streets

London: One of China's most promising young gymnasts, who seemed destined for Olympic glory before his career ended in injury, has been found begging on the streets of Beijing.

Zhang Shangwu, 28, a specialist on the still rings, had sold the two gold medals he won at the World University championships in 2001 for £10 (Dh59.18) to buy food.

Born into a peasant family in Hebei province, Zhang was sent to a gymnastics academy at the age of five.

He seemed destined for the 2004 Athens Olympics until he snapped his left Achilles tendon in training in 2002.

He had to retire with a 38,000 yuan (Dh21,611) pay-off but no further help and fell into crime after his injury prevented him working.

Tuesday, Zhang said there were others like him who had found themselves in a desperate situation after being cut loose from China's state-run sports system.

Zhang's situation has shocked the Chinese after being made public and he is now living in a hotel paid for by a newspaper.