91: Chapter 91: Strength or Technology?

"Reporters are coming?" Everyone in the lounge was stunned.

Immediately after, a rush of hurried footsteps came from outside the door. They were getting closer and closer, accompanied by the constant clicking of camera shutters. Click, click...

"Move aside!" "Excuse me, let us through!" "Where is Li Yang?" "Is contestant Li Yang here?"

Hearing the growing commotion outside, the athletes in the lounge stood up one after another and looked toward the door.

They usually only participated in local events. When had they ever seen such a spectacle?

Li Yang also subconsciously straightened his clothes. A flash of irrepressible excitement flickered in his eyes.

Reporters! And so many of them! He didn't even need to think to know they were definitely coming for him!

Eight point five seven seconds! A world record! These eight words alone were enough to shock the entire sports world.

Thinking of this, his chest couldn't help but heave.

But just as Li Yang prepared to step forward, Coach Wang suddenly raised his hand. "Wait."

Li Yang's steps faltered. "Coach?"

Coach Wang didn't answer, instead turning his head to look at the referees. They exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat complicated.

If it had been ten minutes ago, they would never have stopped him. But now... the matter of the gale boots had already blown up online, and there was no definitive conclusion yet on whether the result was valid.

Accepting an interview at this time, one wrong word could push the situation toward an irrecoverable direction.

A staff member lowered his voice. "How about... we make the reporters wait for now?"

Another shook his head. "We can't stop them. The news has already spread. Avoiding them now will only make the outside world think we have a guilty conscience."

Coach Wang was silent for a moment, then finally let out a soft sigh.

Just as they were hesitating, a voice came from outside again. "Mr. Li Yang, we are from Jiangnan TV Station." "We would like to ask a few simple questions."

Immediately after, a female voice rang out. "Hello, we are from 'Sports Weekly'." "Is it convenient to spare a few minutes?" "The live stream is already on." "Many netizens are waiting for your response."

The lounge instantly fell silent. Everyone's gaze landed on Li Yang.

Some were envious, some were jealous, and some had eyes full of unwillingness.

For an athlete, being able to stand under the spotlight and be interviewed by national media was almost everyone's dream.

But now, this opportunity had fallen to the mediocre Li Yang. And yet, it was achieved through connections and throwing money around? It would be strange if they could accept that.

Li Yang noticed, but paid it no mind. He lifted his foot and prepared to walk out.

A young man who was on good terms with him nearby whispered a reminder. "Yangzi, are you really planning to accept the interview?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Li Yang countered.

The person hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice. "They... will definitely ask about the shoes."

When these words were spoken, the smile on Li Yang's face noticeably stiffened. But quickly, he returned to calm.

"Let them ask." "Anyway, I didn't violate any rules."

When he said this, his tone was much firmer than before. It was as if he wasn't just answering others, but also convincing himself.

Carbon-plated shoes can improve performance. Lightweight running shoes can improve performance. Upgraded track materials can also improve performance. Since technology has always been driving sports development, why shouldn't the gale boots be allowed?

Thinking of this, his spine straightened a few inches unconsciously.

The referees nearby naturally saw his change. One of them frowned even deeper.

He suddenly realized that Li Yang wasn't just being stubborn, but genuinely believed that he had done nothing wrong. This situation was actually even trickier because the other party didn't think there was any problem at all.

Just as everyone was lost in their own thoughts, a voice sounded outside again. "Mr. Flying Man Li." "Could you come out for a moment?" "We just want a simple interview."

Coach Wang was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "Go ahead." "However, think clearly before answering certain questions."

"I know." Li Yang nodded and strode toward the door.

As the door opened, countless lenses were instantly aimed at him. Video cameras. Still cameras. Live streaming equipment. Over a dozen microphones were thrust forward almost simultaneously. Flashbulbs flickered wildly. Click! Click! The entire corridor was as bright as day.

"He's out!" "Li Yang is out!" "Get ready for the interview!"

A young female reporter spoke first. "Mr. Li Yang, today you ran an eight point five seven seconds, breaking the world record. How are you feeling right now?"

Li Yang took a deep breath. The tension on his face quickly transformed into a smile. "I'm very excited, and I'm very grateful for the training from my coach over these years, as well as the support from my family."

The response was very official, and the coaches secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Li Yang knew how to speak well.

The next few questions were almost entirely centered around the world record. And Li Yang's answers were perfect.

Suddenly, a female reporter wearing glasses stepped forward. "There are many netizens online now who believe this is the greatest breakthrough in the history of human sprinting. What is your take on this?"

Li Yang smiled. "The meaning of a record is to wait for successors to break it; I just happened to be the one to do it."

This one sentence immediately made many reporters' eyes light up. It was humble enough and had enough news value.

However, just at this moment, the reporter wearing glasses suddenly shoved the microphone toward his mouth. "Li Yang, there is a controversy online right now."

Hearing this, the coaches in the lounge felt their hearts sink simultaneously. It was here. It had finally arrived.

The smile on Li Yang's face also slightly faded. "What controversy?"

The reporter stared at him. "Some have pointed out that you were wearing the gale boots sold by the lifespan treasure mall today. What is your take on this?"

As the words fell, the scene instantly went quiet. The cameras all zoomed in simultaneously. Everyone was waiting for his answer.

After a two-second silence, Li Yang nodded slowly. "That's correct." "What I was wearing were indeed the gale boots."

Boom! With that one sentence, the scene exploded. Several reporters' eyes lit up at the same time. He admitted it! He actually admitted it directly!

The expressions of the coaches nearby changed as well. They had originally thought that Li Yang would at least avoid this question. They hadn't expected the other party to be so straightforward.

The female reporter wearing black-rimmed glasses, Reporter Yi, immediately followed up. "Then, do you believe this pair of shoes affected the fairness of the competition?"

Li Yang looked down at the shoes on his feet, then raised his head again. "I don't think so." "Why?" "First, it is not a contraband item." "Second, the competition rules do not prohibit it." "Finally, I did not hide anything, nor did I cheat." "Since that's the case, why shouldn't I be allowed to wear them?"

Reporter Yi continued to ask: "But it can increase speed by thirty percent; wouldn't this affect the fairness of the competition?"

Li Yang shook his head. "Any equipment will affect performance." "Running shoes do, tracks do, clothing does. The development of technology is inherently pushing competitive sports to constantly break limits." "Today it's the gale boots." "In the future, there will be even more advanced equipment." "Does that mean every time something appears, it must be banned?"

Several reporters were rapidly recording what he said. Some had even already thought of their headlines in their minds.

At this moment, Reporter Yi spoke up again. "Then, if everyone had worn gale boots today." "Do you think you would still be able to win the championship?" "In other words..." "Was it you who truly broke the world record today?" "Or was it the shoes?"