Chinese athletes present podium dragon sportswear for the Tokyo Olympics at Yanqi Lake International Convention and Exhibition Center in Beijing, China, June 25, 2021. /CFP
Chinese athletes present podium dragon sportswear for the Tokyo Olympics at Yanqi Lake International Convention and Exhibition Center in Beijing, China, June 25, 2021. /CFP
Podium dragon sportswear for athletes of Team China in the coming Tokyo Olympics was unveiled on Friday. Multiple Olympic gold medalists presented the specially-tailored suit at Yanqi Lake International Convention and Exhibition Center on the outskirts of Beijing.
The sportswear blends in some unique Chinese elements and features a Tang-dynasty suit collar designed by well-known artist Ye Jintian.
"Wearing the dragon suit reminds me of times of the Olympics. During every Olympics, the dragon suit was always a hot topic. Putting it on means the start of another Olympic experience," said Zou Shiming, the two-time Olympic boxing champion of China.
Zhao Shuai, gold medal winner of the men's 58-kilogram Taekwondo competition in the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, looks forward to presenting the suit in his second Olympic journey. "I hope I can wear it on top of the podium. I was mentally affected by the delay of the Olympics, but through my coaches, I have changed my preparation and psychological mindset. I have gradually recovered to a normal state," said Zhao.
The Tokyo Games were postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Chinese athletes remain optimistic about the event, especially after being vaccinated. So far, no one testes positive in Team China.