China’s Olympic champions are embracing the universal language of sport as a powerful tool for bridging communication gaps among athletes and people across various countries and regions. As they gear up for the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, these athletes are reflecting on the broader significance of sports, beyond just victories and defeats.
Swimming sensation Zhang Yufei, a multi-gold medalist at the Hangzhou Asian Games, shared her insights at a recent forum organized by the China Public Diplomacy Association in Beijing. Zhang expressed that competitive sports transcend winning and losing, emphasizing the value of the experiences and connections made through sports.
One of Zhang’s most memorable moments was her touching interaction with Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Despite being competitors, they shared an embrace after the 50 meters butterfly final, symbolizing the camaraderie and respect between athletes. Zhang was inspired by Ikee’s remarkable comeback after battling leukemia, reflecting on her own challenges, including competing while unwell during the Asian Games to achieve her personal goal.
Zhang’s teammate Qin Haiyang, a breaststroke world record holder, also echoed these sentiments. He hopes to inspire more people to engage in sports and aims to demonstrate the confidence, unity, and friendship of Chinese athletes on the international stage.
The theme of mutual respect and admiration among athletes was further highlighted by gymnasts Zou Jingyuan and Zhang Boheng. They cited influential figures in their sport, such as Li Ning, Li Xiaoshuang, and Japan’s Kohei Uchimura, stressing that athletes worldwide share a philosophy of developing and innovating in gymnastics and spreading the love for sports globally.
Zhang Boheng, often compared with Japanese gymnast Hashimoto Daiki, looks forward to competing against him at their best forms, possibly at the Paris Olympics. This healthy rivalry underscores the shared commitment to excellence in gymnastics among athletes around the world.
Off the field, the bonds and friendships formed among athletes from different countries exemplify the Olympic spirit of unity. Wu Jingyu, a two-time Olympic taekwondo champion and chair of the World Taekwondo Athletes Committee, highlighted the importance of athlete communication in fostering this spirit. Wu pointed out that the Olympic family allows athletes to not only showcase their physical prowess but also share their journeys of perseverance and pursuit of dreams, inspiring people globally with their spirit and resilience.
As these champions prepare for the upcoming Olympics in Paris, their focus extends beyond personal achievements. They are ambassadors of a global community that values sportsmanship, friendship, and the power of sports as a universal language to unite people across the world.
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