The Summer Olympics: Fu Mingxia

Unretired, newly inspired, big sister may teach kids a lesson

Triple gold medalist Fu Mingxia doesn't expect anyone to remember her. Sure, China's mop-haired diving diva was the youngest gold medalist in Barcelona, at 13, and a double winner in Atlanta. But when she ducked out of the limelight at 18, her whispery voice citing mental exhaustion, the former child prodigy figured her glory days were done. Even today as she trains for Sydney, Fu downplays her talents. "I'm old and a little fat now," jokes the 22-year-old. "I'm yesterday's news."

Until next week, anyway. Despite her doubts, beating the waif who enchanted Barcelona and dazzled Atlanta represents a high degree...

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