The Life of Li Ning as a Reflection of China’s Transformation

Abstract

This article analyzes the relationship between the life of Li Ning and his journey from the world of athletics to the world of business. The article explores how historical and social context is indispensable to understanding how everyone writes their history. The premise is that we cannot ignore the context of the athletes when assessing their social contributions. Li, who initially gained success as an Olympic gymnast, became a heavyweight entrepreneur, playing a significant role in the collective imagination of Chinese people. The Chinese huge economic transformations generated the opportunities for Li’s journey from athlete to businessman. As a result, the Chinese Communist Party heavily promoted the triumph of Li Ning in both stadiums and markets. The conclusions revisit the debate between determinism and free will and show how the life of Li can offer some insights into this discussion in the context of contemporary China.