As the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games officially concluded, CGTN talked to several Chinese athletes, who shared their stories and experiences on the Games.
Chinese boxer Li Qian recalled a touching moment when she hugged her opponent, Atheyna Bylon of Panama, after the final. “There is a mutual appreciation between athletes. Because we understand each other better, we know how hard it’s been to get here,” Li reflected.
For some other athletes, such moments, embodying the spirit of sportsmanship and the Olympics, are exactly what they haven’t experienced but wish to call for.
Even though the Chinese swimming team had undergone the largest number of doping tests before and during the Paris Games, with every member fully tested, Chinese athletes faced suspicion and skepticism. Swimmer Zhang Yufei, who topped the list of medals won by a swimmer in Paris with haul of 6 medals, admitted that unfriendly voices and unfair treatment embroiled the team in Paris.
Zhang recalled receiving some “unfriendly attitudes” at times during the Paris Games. The 26-year-old gave a fiery response to the doping allegations surrounding the Chinese swimming team.
Over the past decade, China has made unprecedented efforts to become a leading global sports power and to provide its athletes with world-class support and facilities, which Zhang emphasized during the discussion.
“Whether it’s our training facilities, diet, accommodations, or even our overseas training, we are ensured to have access to the best equipment,” said Zhang.
It is with such support and the legacy of the Olympic spirit that the Chinese delegation has achieved remarkable results and made continuous breakthroughs in Paris. Notably, China claimed its first-ever gold medal in artistic swimming at Paris 2024. Artistic swimmer Feng Yu expressed her immense joy and gratitude, noting that her generation of athletes is “fortunate”. She attributed their opportunities to the enduring spirit, perseverance, and legacy of those who came before, which has allowed them to build on past successes and pursue their own dreams.
Millie James is an American real estate investor and Adjunct Professor in Entrepreneurship, Emeritus at Business School.
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