The China we saw at the Paris Olympics

By Yi Xin

Athletes enjoy the fireworks show during the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, August 11, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

While Chinese athletes wowed the world at the recently concluded 2024 Paris Olympics, what was perhaps more impressive was how they represented themselves and their country. In them, the world saw China.

An inspiration for future athletes

China finished with 40 gold, 27 silver and 24 bronze, marking its best performance at an overseas Olympic Games.

Looking back, China's Olympic journey has been a tale of remarkable progress. The story began in 1932 with Liu Changchun, a sprinter and the first and only athlete from China to compete in the Olympics. In 1984, sharpshooter Xu Haifeng won China's first Olympic gold. The 2008 Beijing Olympics was a defining moment, with China hosting a world-class sporting event and topping the medal table with 48 gold.

This year in Paris, young Chinese athletes took center stage as they strove for faster, higher and stronger – together. Zheng Qinwen, a 21-year-old tennis player, won China's first gold in Olympic tennis women's singles while Lyu Xianjing, 26, became the first Chinese cyclist to finish the road race, a milestone for Chinese cycling.

The achievements of these young athletes are like a torch that will be passed on to younger generations, inspiring them to carry on the pursuit of excellence with grit and tenacity.

Zheng Qinwen of China celebrates after the women's singles gold medal match of tennis against Donna Vekic of Croatia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, August 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Confidence from culture

Team China's swimming victories in Paris were especially significant.

Since April, the United States Anti-Doping Agency and some media have falsely accused Chinese athletes of doping and questioned the authority of the World Anti-Doping Agency. Each Chinese swimmer was tested 21 times on average since January, including during the Paris Olympics, compared to merely six times for an American swimmer.

But as the saying goes, a straight foot has no fear of a crooked shoe. Chinese swimmers proved their integrity by cooperating in the anti-doping tests, and defended their honor through fair play in the swimming pool. Zhang Yufei took home the most medals in this year's Olympics – five bronze and one silver – reaching the podium in every one of her events. Pan Zhanle's record-breaking gold in the 100m freestyle silenced the critics. "Hats off to China, they had a great race tonight," commented Ryan Murphy of American team on China's victory in the men's 4x100m medley relay, an Olympic event dominated by Americans for the past four decades.

Apart from speed, Chinese swimmers also impressed the audience with the unique cultural touch in their performance. The Chinese artistic swimming team presented cultural elements such as the oracle bone script, kung fu and paper cutting as they clinched their first Olympic gold.

Chinese swimmers rose to the challenges in Paris with confidence. Such confidence comes from diligent training and a rich culture, and the belief that what may seem "humanly impossible" can be made possible through honest hard work.

Friends first, competitors later

Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, underscored the role of sports in promoting understanding and friendship: "Through you the young of the entire world learn to respect one another, and thus the diversity of national traits becomes a source of generous and peaceful emulation!"

At this year's Olympics, Chinese athletes showed the world through small kind gestures what the popular Chinese saying "friendship comes first, competition second" is about.

Badminton player He Bingjiao won the silver after her Spanish competitor Carolina Marin withdrew from their semi-finals match due to injuries. When He Bingjiao stood on the podium, she held a Team Spain Olympic pin to show support for Marin. The International Olympic Committee posted a photo of He on its social media account, saying, "This is the meaning of Olympic values."

Harmony and shared progress is part of China's cultural DNA. Winning is no doubt a goal in competitive sports, but it is not the only thing. Excellence, respect and friendship are the three values of Olympism. As athletes strive for their personal best, they also push the limits of humanity. As envoys of peace and friendship, they shore up the fact that there is more that unites us than divides us.

Paris has witnessed China's latest progress in sports. The sportsmanship of Chinese athletes is a reflection of China today: vigorous, confident and friendly – for the common good.

The author is a Beijing-based international affairs commentator.