Finnish Winter Paralympian says Beijing is hometown and friends can make 100 skewers

　　In front of the camera, the blond Finnish Paralympian Marty Selanen is introducing himself in fluent Chinese.

　　During the nearly 1-hour conversation, he answered all questions in Chinese without any problems.

Because he has lived in Beijing for a long time, Marty has been able to use the "erhuayin" in Beijing dialect skillfully in many contexts.

The picture shows Liu Di in the works of Taekwondo students.

Photo courtesy of the interviewee

　　Although there is a screen, I can still feel Marty's love for snowboarding and China.

In his words, "China is my hometown".

Now 37 years old, he has lived here for 20 years.

Snowboarding & Beijing Winter Paralympics

　　As a Paralympic snowboarder, Marty participated in the men's snowboard slalom chase - UL class and the men's slope slalom - UL class in the Zhangjiakou division of the Beijing Winter Paralympics.

　　"I think Zhangjiakou (Winter Paralympic Village) is very comfortable, and I hope I can stay longer." Although he only arrived in Zhangjiakou on March 4, Marty said with a smile that he is already familiar with the life here.

Pictured is Liu Di.

Photo courtesy of the interviewee

　　Talking about the most impressive thing in the competition area, Marty said without hesitation,

In his opinion, this will bring him happiness.

　　China-Singapore Sports: Are you satisfied with your life in the Winter Paralympic Village?

　　Liu Di: Everyone is very friendly, such as volunteers and security personnel.

Everything is very well prepared, eating, drinking, including the commissary is great.

　　In 2002, a traffic accident severely damaged the nerve in Marty's left arm.

After living like this for 10 years, he underwent amputation in Beijing.

　　For Marty, who has loved sports since he was a child, he not only chooses to use time to heal the wounds of his body and mind, but he also loves taekwondo, and he also began to participate in the world competition of taekwondo for the disabled.

　　China-Singapore Sports: How to get connected with snowboarding?

　　Liu Di: I learned about disabled snowboards while chatting with people from the Finnish Paralympic Department.

It looked like fun so I told them I wanted to try this.

　　So, in 2016, Marty took the snowboard to the Netherlands to participate in the competition. It was the first time he set foot on the snowboard after the amputation.

After the game, he made up his mind to become a better athlete.

The picture shows Liu Di in the game.

Photo courtesy of the interviewee

　　At the Beijing Winter Paralympics, Marty failed to break through in the Paralympic Snowboard Men's Obstacle Chase-UL Qualifying Tournament.

Although he has regrets, he believes that he can compete with the world's top players and is very satisfied with his performance.

In Marty's cognition, it was sports that brought him self-confidence and happiness.

Today, snowboarding has gone from a hobby to a profession for Marty, who works as a coach in Finland, teaching skiing, kickboxing, parkour and more.

Love to watch "Mr. Almost Biography"

　　Marty's father was engaged in mobile network related work. Due to work reasons, Marty followed his father to China when he was very young.

"I was in Beijing when I first remembered," Marty said with a smile.

　　China-Singapore Sports: What is the origin of the name "Liu Di"?

　　Liu Di: After my parents divorced, my dad found a Chinese wife, and my current mother is Chinese.

The name "Liu Di" was given to me by my grandfather.

　　"Just chatting with people."

　　When it comes to the process of learning Chinese, Marty's answer is very simple.

"In the process of chatting with people, I can understand the terms of life that I can't learn in college."

　　Recalling the most impressive experience, Marty smiled shyly, "It should be me chatting with the taxi driver after drinking."

The picture shows Liu Di in training.

Photo courtesy of the interviewee

　　China-Singapore Sports: When you return to China this time, do you feel that your Chinese language has regressed?

　　Liu Di: I thought it would be a lot of regression, but I found that it is still possible.

Language is something you learn, even if you regress, you can quickly recover.

For Chinese literature, Marty is also quite accomplished.

　　"I like 'Mr. Almost Biography' very much," said Marty's eyes with a little more excitement when he mentioned his impressive Chinese works.

　　"I think all of us are 'Mr. Almost'. I'm quite satisfied with my own 'Almost'." Between the words, Marty's self-confidence can be seen from the inside out.

　　"I have also studied "The True Story of Ah Q", and I think the 'Spiritual Victory Method' is also something we all have to consider. I feel it tells us to beware of becoming 'Ah Q'."

　　In fact, Marty is also very interested in philosophy.

He often discusses with his teachers "Sun Tzu's Art of War" and Taoism and other cultural elements with Chinese characteristics.

The picture shows Liu Di (blue) participating in the competition.

Photo courtesy of the interviewee

　　China-Singapore Sports: Are you doing well in Chinese courses?

　　Liu Di: No, ancient Chinese, I took the exam twice.

　　Marty said humbly, "I read the book thinking, 60 cents long live."

Once "killed" 100 skewers of mutton in Sanlitun, Beijing

　　China-Singapore Sports: Which city in China are you most familiar with?

　　Liu Di: I have traveled to (many cities), Tianjin, Shanghai, Inner Mongolia, Chengdu, Dalian...

But for Marty, who has lived in Beijing three times, there is no doubt that he is most familiar with it.

　　As a child, Marty lived in Guangming Apartment and Guomao Apartment.

After studying at Beijing Language and Culture University, he came to Wudaokou.

Later, he also moved to Shunyi.

　　"If I get in the car now and say where to go, I might say go to Wudaokou." This place, known as "Youth's Paradise" in Beijing, is where Marty has stayed the longest.

　　In the period after the traffic accident, Marty often came to Sanlitun Bar Street to relieve pressure.

Now, after playing professional sports, he has stopped drinking.

　　Looking back on his experiences in Beijing over the years, Marty is obsessed with food.

　　"I ate lamb kebabs in the Winter Paralympic Village restaurant that day, and I'm very satisfied. The only regret is that I haven't found a jasmine tea drink."

　　China-Singapore Sports: Have you found food in Beijing?

　　Liu Di: The mutton skewers on the side of the road are the best!

　　While living in Beijing, many Finnish friends also visit China.

Marty also knows how to be a good "tour guide".

"If they are young people, I will take them to Xueyuan Road; if they are older friends, I will take them to Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall."

While living in China for a long time,

Before my daughter could write ABC, she knew Chinese characters

　　"Her name is Liu Xuan, we call her Xuan Xuan." The corner of Marty's mouth rose a few times when she talked about her daughter.

　　China-Singapore Sports: Will you introduce Chinese culture to your daughter?

　　Liu Di: She can already speak Chinese. My daughter said that she can already recognize some Chinese characters before she can write ABC.

　　"After my daughter was born, my wife and daughter spoke French, I spoke English to her, my father spoke Finnish to him, and my mother spoke Chinese to him."

The picture shows Liu Di's daughter practicing snowboarding.

Respondents provided video screenshots

Speaking of her daughter who has been in contact with four languages, Marty is very proud.

　　In fact, in the past few days, it was Marty's wife's labor.

As a husband, he wanted to be by his wife's side and see his second child born.

Before this trip to China, Marty hesitated for a long time.

　　China-Singapore Sports: Why did you choose to participate in the Beijing Winter Paralympics?

　　Liu Di: This is not an easy decision.

In the end it was my wife who persuaded me to come, and even though she didn't want to be unaccompanied when the baby was born, she knew that snowboarding was my profession.

And Beijing is my hometown, so I can't miss this opportunity.

　　Marty joked, "I want my son to wait until I get home."

Versatile, love Chinese Kung Fu

　　Marty, who has lived in China for a long time, is also obsessed with Chinese Kung Fu.

Taijiquan, nunchakus, he practiced in a similar fashion.

　　China-Singapore Sports: What is the most unforgettable experience in China?

　　Liu Di: I lived in Beijing for a long time. I learned martial arts, Taijiquan, nunchaku, and participated in several competitions, which have left a deep impression on me.

Especially with my Chinese coaches and friends who train with me.

　　From taking a tai chi class at Beijing Language and Culture University to being attracted by a nunchaku master on the side of the road, Marty has become more and more versatile.

"I got 100 points in my Tai Chi class." Marty smiled with satisfaction.

The picture shows Liu Di at the Taekwondo Club.

Photo courtesy of the interviewee

　　Marty is about to become a father of two children. When asked how old he will be on the field, Marty said frankly, "As long as my body allows, I will continue."

　　China-Singapore Sports: Will you consider coming to China to settle in the future?

　　Liu Di: I will keep this opinion. If there is a chance, I will definitely consider it.

Blonde and blue-eyed, he calls himself "Old Beijing"; as a Finnish athlete, he has lived in China for 20 years, and his story with China will be well known to more people in Marty's narration.

(Author Liu Xingchen)