Chinese woman footballer Sun Wen made her debut appearance for the national team at the age of 17. She played 13 years for the China. During that period, she was part of the team which won the Olympic Silver medal in the 1996 Atlanta games, took part in the first four women's FIFA World Cups, won the Golden Boot and Golden Ball for the 1999 World Cup (where China finished runners up), and shared the FIFA Player of the Century award with American Michelle Akers.

What is Wen doing now? At 33, Wen is washing her own kits. China Youth Daily reported it initially and an English report on it can be found in Malaysian The Star:

Sun Wen and her teammates are accommodated in rooms no more than six square metres with dirty sheets on tiny beds, malfunctioning television sets and air-conditioning and a leaking toilet, according to a report in the China Youth Daily.

"I buy a plastic basin to do my laundry wherever I go," the 33-year-old Sun Wen told the newspaper. "I'm afraid I'll have to bring my own bedclothes next time."

Wen's life was going well till a few years ago. She was signed in 2001 by the Atlanta Beat of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) and living the life her talent deserved. WUSA, of course, started with much fanfare roping in the top plight women's footballers in the world in 2001 before folding up shortly thereafter in 2003, but that is another story. Wen was then recalled home to China. She joined the Fudan University in Shanghai, China to study journalism and looked forward, rather than back at this crucial juncture of her life. In December 2005, Wen announced her comeback and returned to the women's national team.

If an extra ordinary talent in Wen reaches the situation she has, why would any one take up or want to take up football in China, at least as far as women are concerned? What about the situation of the men's football team and sport persons in general in China? China expects world standard performers. It is focussing on building young sports stars to perform internationally. But why should some one follow sport in the country seeing the situation some stars find themselves in?

A few weeks ago, news emerged of former weight lifting champion, Zou Chunlan. At 36, Zou is nearly destitute and working in bath houses. Reports Yahoo:

Zou Chunlan, 36, won several gold medals in China's National Games between 1987 and 1993 but following retirement was unable to find steady work due in part to poor health she blames on drugs taken during her athletic career.

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