This 28-year-old Chinese athlete’s journey in gymnastics was never just about medals. Rather, it was about survival, sacrifice, and a dream born from the heart of hardships. From traversing a mountain on her partially blind brother’s shoulders to training with borrowed money, the gymnast’s life was defined by uphill battles but also resilience. And when she made it to the grandest stage in sports—the Olympics—it seemed like all her sacrifices were about to pay off.

But the 2016 Rio Olympics was the most devastating competition of Shang Chunsong’s career… 

Shang had the potential to leave Rio with individual medals. But instead, she walked away empty-handed. Chunsong was among the favorites to win a medal on the balance beam and floor exercise. But in a cruel twist of fate, the run for international glory took a turn for the worse. Rio Olympic Games are just a bitter chapter in this gymnast’s life.

Shang Chunsong’s journey from poverty to the podium amid moments of despair 

Right before she was gearing up to pull off her best performance in the Olympic arena, she suffered a devastating setback. The 28-year-old was recovering from a notorious fever. Even though she couldn’t train for about five days before China’s debut, she gave her best shot. Yet, her scores weren’t up to the mark. Even as she stood on the podium with her teammates, celebrating China’s team bronze, the pain of missing out on individual glory lingered. In that moment of loss, her immediate concern wasn’t herself but her family. “I just want (my family) not to worry about me. I am fine. I have not made my dreams come true, and I will keep going to make it happen,” she said at the time.

Chumsong’s journey to Rio was nothing short of remarkable. She had defied the odds to become the national all-around champion in both 2015 and 2016. At the World Championships, she helped Team China win silver in 2014 and 2015. In a recently shared X post, the gymnast shared her struggles coping with the loss after her return from Rio. Chunsong stated, “Rio all-around final is the most upset competition throughout my career.” 

The emotional toll of the defeat was monumental. “I used to be unable to fall asleep at night thinking about it and I would cry. I would cry when I think about it every time. I would cry when I watch the video of the competition.” Chunsong missed the all-around podium by a mere 0.116 points. The heartbreak didn’t end there. She finished fifth in the uneven bars final, just 0.133 points shy of a medal, and an inquiry into her low balance beam score was rejected.

But it wasn’t just a medal that she lost. The loss was comparable to a lifetime failure for her. Every triumph meant a better future for her family. “We bought a house in Changsha city. I paid the down payment for my brother,” she revealed. For Shang, the greatest reward wasn’t standing atop a podium but ensuring her family no longer had to struggle to make ends meet.

Despite her achievements, she never viewed herself as extraordinary. “No, I don’t think so. I did what I should have done,” she once said when asked about her role in lifting her family out of poverty. Even when her brother sacrificed his education so she could continue training, Chunsong didn’t dwell on guilt. Instead, she used it as motivation. “When I was young, my family had to ask around to borrow money so that I could continue training. My brother gave up going to school for me. But I don’t consider that as pressure. I have turned that into motivation to keep myself going.”

The pain of Rio lingered for years. She couldn’t watch replays of the competition without breaking down. But time has given her a new perspective. “But it won’t happen now. I don’t feel bad if I watch it now,” she said, revealing that she has finally made peace with her past. 

Her story isn’t just one of heartbreak, it’s one of perseverance. 28-year-old Shang Chunsong may not have won an individual Olympic medal, but her legacy extends far beyond the competition floor. She remains a symbol of unwavering determination, proving that true success isn’t just about standing on the podium. It’s about rising after every fall and standing strong as the pillar of the family amid all the dark times.