华天/Hua Tian, the 18-year-old rider might be the most uncharacteristic athlete in the Chinese delegation. Watching 3 seconds of the clip, you’d agree. He is China’s first athlete to compete in Olympic equestrain. But even more attention grabbing is his background. Hua Tian is mixed, born to Chinese father and British mother (who speaks Chinese with a seasoned Beijing accent). He started riding as a kid under his mom’s influence. He goes to Eton and trains with an Australian coach.   

Hua Tian’s first Olympic attempt ended today when he fell from his horse, but he said he hoped to compete well into his 40’s.  

China is one of the very few countries without foreign born athletes. Our almost non-existent immigration policy makes it virtually impossible for foreigners to become a Chinese citizen. Attitude towards it is also ambivalent. Hope there’d be some positive changes when Huatian turns 40.