by sportswriters Dong Yixing, Li Chunyu and Wang Hengzhi
PARIS, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Paris 2024 Olympic Games isn't just about winning medals. It's about pushing boundaries, redefining what is possible, and inspiring millions around the world.
From veteran athletes competing at the highest level to young prodigies making their Olympic debuts, Paris has shown that the Olympic spirit knows no age, gender, or societal limits.
AGE IS JUST A NUMBER
One of the most compelling stories from Paris 2024 is that of Ni Xia Lian, a 61-year-old table tennis player representing Luxembourg. Competing in her sixth Olympic Games, Ni has become the oldest competitor in the history of Olympic table tennis.
In her Paris debut, Ni defeated a much younger Turkish opponent Sibel Altinkaya. "I've completed my task. I'm so glad I get to face Sun Yingsha in the next round. It's a rare opportunity to learn from her," Ni said with a smile after her victory.
Despite eventually losing to the world No. 1, Ni's performance was nothing short of inspiring. "You can never truly appreciate how good she is until you face her," Ni admitted.
"Auntie Ni's sportsmanship is something I admire deeply," said Sun, who was equally moved by the experience. "No matter how much she's trailing, she's always fighting, always thinking of ways to improve."
Similarly, skateboarding icon Andy MacDonald, 51, charmed his way out of the park despite missing the Olympic park event final.
"You don't stop skating because you get old," MacDonald said. "You get old because you stop skating."
MacDonald's journey to the Olympics was driven by a late-blooming dream after a 30-year professional career. Competing against athletes half his age, he emphasized that the Olympic Games are not just about competition but about the joy of sport and camaraderie.
"Skateboarding is about pushing each other to do our best. It's about fun, passion, and friendship," he said.
Another veteran to watch is Timo Boll. The 43-year-old German table tennis legend also captured the hearts of fans during his seventh and also final Olympic appearance.
Boll's Olympic finale was a far cry from a happy ending as his team was defeated by Sweden in a tense quarterfinal match, in which Boll, as always, stayed calm and composed and fought until the final point.
But he ultimately failed to hold his tears back when he was given a standing ovation by the Paris crowd.
His long-time rival and friend, China's Ma Long, paid tribute to Boll's influence on the sport. "Boll is a player that all table tennis athletes respect," Ma said. "His skills, his character - everything about him is admirable."
On the other end of the spectrum, Paris 2024 also featured athletes who are just beginning their Olympic journeys.
At only 11 years old, Chinese skateboarder Zheng Haohao became the youngest member of China's Olympic team. Competing in the women's park, Zheng demonstrated not only her immense talent but also a level of poise and maturity beyond her years.
During the preliminary rounds, Zheng's first run earned her a solid score, but her attempts to execute more difficult tricks in the subsequent runs didn't go as planned. Still, her enthusiasm was undimmed.
"Out of 10, I'd only give myself 3 or 4 points because I messed up the last two runs," Zheng said.
"But when I get back to school and if my classmates ask me about my summer vocation, I could say I just took some time to drop by and participate in the Olympics," the teen said, proudly.
DETERMINATION AND TRIUMPH
In Tahiti, 15-year-old Yang Siqi made waves as China's first Olympic surfer. Facing challenging conditions and seasoned competitors, Yang finished an impressive top 16, despite uncertainty and nerves against American rival Caroline Marks.
Yang and her coach, Luo Yang, viewed this experience as a stepping stone for future challenges, with sights set on national and international competitions.
On the tennis courts of Roland Garros, a groundbreaking moment came when China's Zheng Qinwen captured gold in the women's singles, becoming the first Asian woman to do so.
Her journey was characterized by fierce competition and significant wins over top-tier opponents, including a dramatic match against world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
Zheng's victory was celebrated with immense national pride, as she laid on the clay with the Chinese flag draped proudly beside her, marking a historic achievement for Asian representation in global tennis.
In the swimming pool, Pan Zhanle made headlines by setting a new world record in the men's 100m freestyle, seizing gold and cementing his status as a breakthrough athlete for China, breaking the longstanding western records and signifying a leap forward for Chinese swimming on the Olympic stage.
The narrative of triumph extended to the Chinese men's 4x100m medley relay team, as Xu Jiayu, Qin Haiyang, Sun Jiajun, and Pan clinched China's first gold in this event and set a new benchmark in a competition long dominated by the United States.
The Olympic spirit was also embodied by British shooter Amber Rutter, who competed in the women's skeet event shortly after giving birth. Her silver medal was a testament to her determination and ability to balance new motherhood with elite athletic performance.
BEYOND THE FIELD OF PLAY
Chinese manufacturing and technology innovations are subtly changing aspects of the Olympic Games while athletes vie for gold.
Leading the technological charge is Alibaba's digital cloud services. Their AI-powered Cloud 3.0 and multi-camera replay systems have transformed the way how spectators experience the Olympics.
These developments, developed in partnership with the Olympic Broadcasting Service (OBS), allowed spectators to witness slow-motion replays from a variety of perspectives, offering a more immersive viewing experience.
Yiannis Exarchos, OBS Chief Executive, noted, "With approximately half of the world's population watching the Games, technologies like Alibaba Cloud help us tell the stories of the best athletes in the world and bring the world together in more exciting and inspirational ways."
On a more tangible aspect of China's presence in Paris Games arena, there was the Hebei Zhangkong barbell Manufacturing Co., Ltd, a key player in the provision of weightlifting equipment.
From a tiny rural workshop, this business has grown to become a household name in sports equipment in 31 years, an epitome of China's growth over the past three decades.
Leading a team to Paris, the company's deputy manager-general, Zhang Yi, underlined their dedication to quality, saying, "We hope our products and team will perform well, showcasing the 'Chinese strength' in another form."
Elsewhere, Taishan Sports has grown into a leading manufacturer of judo mats, setting industry standards in many aspects.
"We've learned to speak through technology and rules after moving into this niche," said Lin Longjiang, head of Taishan's foreign affairs department. ■
