After the Hong Kong fire, Su Bingtian’s reputation soared — his remark “same roots, same breath” carried deeper meaning, even surprising Quan Hongchan

The recent fire at Hong Kong’s Tai Po Hung Fuk Court has left the public heartbroken. As of 4 p.m. on December 1, the blaze had taken 151 lives. Hong Kong police and the ICAC arrested 14 people after discovering that substandard, non–fire-resistant mesh was used on the site—cheap HK$54-per-roll materials disguised as certified products. The attempt to “hide” the fakes with a few rolls of genuine mesh left the public furious.

Amid the grief, 36-year-old sprint legend Su Bingtian unexpectedly trended on social media—not for athletic news, but for a message he delivered through Hong Kong’s Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group:

“Every number in the casualty report pulls at our hearts. The firefighters have fought with everything they have, and the resilience of our Hong Kong compatriots is deeply moving.”

But what touched people the most was the next line:

“The kapok of Lingnan and the bauhinia of Hong Kong have always shared the same roots and the same breath.”

The phrase instantly set comment sections ablaze:
“Su Bingtian always knows how to speak straight to the heart.”
“He’s somehow even more admirable after retirement.”

Just last month, at his National Games farewell, a stadium of 46,000 people chanted “Su Shen never ages,” and now he is once again winning hearts with a single sentence.

From the viral “leg-touch moment” to becoming a mentor — Quan Hongchan can’t help smiling

Speaking of “Dean Su,” one has to mention his biggest little fan—18-year-old Olympic diving star Quan Hongchan.

During a sports exchange event in Macau last year, Quan Hongchan boldly reached out and touched Su Bingtian’s thigh, curious about the legendary “Asian flying man’s” muscles.
Su wasn’t bothered at all—in fact, he jokingly “refused” to take the microphone she handed him later in playful revenge. The clip became a sports-circle classic.

A year later, they surprisingly became teacher and student.

In September, Quan Hongchan was admitted to Jinan University’s School of Physical Education—where Su Bingtian serves as dean. At the orientation, she covered her mouth and giggled when she saw her former “leg-touch target” standing on stage as her leader.

She gifted him a signed national team jersey; Su had already prepared a personalized development plan for her, carefully balancing training and academic courses.

Netizens later dug up that this wasn’t his first time showing such warmth. At a youth event involving Taiwanese athletes, he once said:

“If Yang Chun-han could join our relay team, I’d be even more confident about making the Olympic podium.”
And added, “Both sides of the strait are one family.”

So his Hong Kong fire message is simply consistent with who he has always been.

A legend who retired but never stepped away from responsibility

Why does a retired athlete’s message resonate so strongly?
Because Su Bingtian embodies breakthrough itself.

His 9.83s run at the Tokyo Olympics shattered the long-held stereotype that Asians couldn’t run sub-10. He became a symbol of possibility.

At his National Games farewell, he ran the track barefoot and bowed to the crowd as “Can’t Say Goodbye” played—a moment even state media praised twice as “a legend that never fades.”

After retirement, he shifted focus to sports education.
Besides mentoring Quan Hongchan, he’s preparing an “Ersha Elite Program” aimed at systematically developing future top athletes.

Many younger athletes say:
“When I feel like giving up, I think about how Su Bingtian changed his starting foot and still broke records at 32. My struggles feel small.”

That’s why his words carry weight.

Amid condolences from public figures, his “same roots, same breath” message stood out.
Not because it was loud—
but because it was sincere.

The kapok is the flower of Guangzhou; the bauhinia symbolizes Hong Kong.
One line, two flowers, and countless shared emotions.

Netizens joked that Quan Hongchan “chose the right mentor”—an Olympic champion to look up to and a big-hearted dean to guide her.

And Su Bingtian shows that true icons aren’t defined by medals or applause, but by their integrity—on the track and in life.