On December 30, 2023, according to the Economic Observer, Liu Aijie, the former chairman of the China Rowing Association and the China Canoe Association, collected more than 20 million yuan and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. In the long history of Chinese sports, Liu Aijie's name may be recorded as a warning symbol. His life is like an epic of ups and downs, from a young man who loves sports, to a guardian of power, and then to a prisoner who has fallen due to corruption, his experience reflects the complexity of human nature and the changes of the times.
In that turbulent era, Liu Aijie was born in 1957, and his youth was full of love and pursuit of sports. His story is a model of struggle from the bottom, and a microcosm of climbing the social ladder step by step through unremitting efforts in the context of the magnificent times. The trajectory of his life, from a young man who went to the countryside to cut in line, to a mechanic in an automobile factory, to a bus driver, every step is condensed with sweat and perseverance.
However, as time passed, the trajectory of Liu Aijie's fate took a turn. In the 90s of the last century, he stepped into the National Sports Commission, which is now the General Administration of Sports of China, and began his career in the field of sports management. Here, his abilities have been demonstrated, from Deputy Director to Division Chief, to Deputy Director of the Water Sports Management Center, and every promotion he has made is an affirmation of his ability to work.
In 2011, Liu Aijie became deputy director of the Department of Athletics and Sports, and six years later, he became the director of the Olympic Preparedness Office of the General Administration of the People's Republic of China, and also served as the president of the Chinese Rowing Association and the Chinese Canoe Association. In this position, he had real power, but it was also during this period that he began his path of accumulating wealth.
Liu Aijie's corrupt behavior involves many aspects such as engineering projects, approval processes, and fund allocation. At the same time, there is a detail, the former CCTV celebrity Duan Xuan also paid a bribe of 9.5 million to Liu Aijie, so his ability and breakthrough spirit are very strong, which is the help of his success, but in the face of power, he chose to go to the road of violation and illegality. His depravity is not only a loss of personal morality, but also a betrayal of public trust.
When the news of his 11-year sentence broke, all sectors of society were shocked. A 66-year-old man was supposed to enjoy family fun after retirement, but he was blinded by greed and finally embarked on the road of no return. His case not only sheds light on corruption in the world of sports, but also serves as a wake-up call to all: power is a double-edged sword, and when used properly, it can benefit society;If abused, you will destroy yourself and harm others.
The battle against corruption in sports continues, not only in the "present tense", but also in the "future tense" and "forever tense". Every victory in the fight against corruption is a defense of fairness and justice and sportsmanship. As an inspirational quote goes, "Justice is not only to be done, but to be seen." "The breeze of the world of sport is washing every corner, returning sport to its purest essence.
Liu Aijie's story is a story of dreams, struggles, power and depravity. It reminds us that no matter what high position we are in, we must remain humble and sober, and never forget our original intention. Let us remember this lesson, not only for the sake of the clarity of the sports world, but also for the justice and progress of the whole society.