Diver has big head

last updated 8 January 2015

Beijing

Olympic diving champ Tian Liang has been kicked off the Chinese national team for being too self-centered. As part of an effort to promote “traditional Chinese values,” the Communist Party singled out Tian as a negative example. The 2004 gold medalist, the party said, behaved like a diva, hiring an agent to land him endorsements and showing up late for practices. “He has failed to reflect on his errant behavior and conduct a deep self-criticism,” one swimming official told the Los Angeles Times. Tian may be able to rejoin the team in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics—but only if he shows proper modesty and team spirit.