Sun Wenguang in front of the 12th National Games Organizing Committee
One person, one bicycle, setting off alone from Shangqiu, Henan, over 1,600 kilometers away, and arriving in Shenyang after 11 days of uninterrupted travel through wind and rain. He is Sun Wenguang, a people's police officer who dares to challenge and pursue his dreams.
Sun Wenguang, 49 years old this year, is from Yongcheng City, Henan Province. In 1986, during a battle in the counterattack against Vietnam, Sun Wenguang was injured by an explosion while shielding his comrades. To this day, three shrapnel fragments remain in his left leg, causing dull pain on rainy days. In 2000, he transferred from the military to civilian work and became a public security officer. Currently the deputy director of the Political Department of the Yongcheng City Public Security Bureau, he has also served as a torchbearer for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. Over his more than 20 years in the military and police force, Sun Wenguang has received countless commendations and awards at various levels.
Sun Wenguang on the road
Through wind and rain, chasing dreams
On August 30, the reporter met Sun Wenguang. Aside from his bicycle, he only carried a backpack, and his skin was sunburned dark. Despite being very tired, he maintained steady steps and the upright posture of a people’s police officer. This time, he is using his vacation to cycle seven to eight hours each day. Because of the injury in his left leg, it is mostly numb when he rides. These 11 days have been like the Long March, but nothing has stopped his footsteps. Regarding this, Sun Wenguang said: “Pierre de Coubertin once said, ‘The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle.’ I have a dream, which is to become a torchbearer for the 12th National Games. Moreover, it is the first time the National Games are being held in Northeast China. There is a compass on my bike, and the same is true in my heart — it is a powerful force that continuously guides me northward, over Mount Tai, across the Yellow River, all the way to Shenyang.”
Sun Wenguang’s travel itinerary
A 1,000-mile ride to promote the National Games
This time, Sun Wenguang chose to ride a bicycle to Shenyang, aligning with the environmentally friendly and low-carbon philosophy of the National Games. Along the way, he also promoted the concept of fitness for all and environmental protection. Regarding why he chose to ride a bicycle to Shenyang, Sun Wenguang said, “I used to be too busy with work and didn’t have time. I only rode an old bicycle to and from work. I wanted to challenge myself, and my leg was injured. The doctor also advised me not to stop but to stay active. For me, the meaning of life is not to live comfortably but to keep challenging myself.”
Family support, looking forward to the future
Before setting off, Sun Wenguang designed a route map in advance. Upon arriving at each destination, he would send a message to his family to let them know he was safe. “They fully support me and are happy that I could come to Shenyang on the one-year countdown to the National Games,” Sun Wenguang said happily when mentioning his family.
Afterward, Sun Wenguang will return to Yongcheng, Henan, to rest and recover. His next plan is to head to the northwest, to let the people of the northwest and even the whole country know about, understand, and support the National Games.