China's high-tech innovations sparkle at 2024 Paris Olympics

With its bright eyes and warm smile, the Olympic Phryge mascot has gained in popularity as the Paris Olympics draws to a close. 

Data from the Paris Olympics Organizing Committee shows that 80 percent of the Phryges are manufactured in China. Quanzhou Nanyang Arts & Crafts Co., Ltd. is a commissioned manufacturer of the event's mascots.

"Phryge is known for its unique standing posture, with its slender legs supporting a large body, making it a challenging design in the production process," said Jiang Lingyan, senior sales manager of the company.

The design team innovatively combined two types of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material in one Phryge to address the potential bumps and impacts during international long-distance transport. The legs are reinforced with rigid PVC, and the eyelashes are made from soft PVC to maintain the design's unique look, said Jiang.

According to Jiang, 3D modeling and printing techniques were used during the sample design and production process to ensure precision in every detail. Also, to ensure each pair of eyes is vivid and expressive, the company controlled the distribution of ink and pressure.

After numerous trials and improvements, the sample made six round trips between China and France over nine months before the Olympics opened. Nanyang Arts & Crafts was commissioned to produce seven types of resin figurines and two types of keychains in various sizes and designs, totaling 200,000 pieces.

Comfortable sportswear provides athletes with the support they need to achieve great results. China's sportswear brand Peak cooperated with the Olympic committees of 11 countries to offer sportswear and suits for athletes.

"By working with these Olympic committees, we showcase China's high-quality products, along with our unique understanding and innovative capabilities in sports equipment," said Xu Jingnan, chairman of the board at PEAK.

ANTA, another Chinese sportswear manufacturer, provides Chinese athletes with team uniforms for medal ceremonies. They are made from eco-friendly materials, such as recycled nylon and recycled polyester, achieving a carbon reduction of over 50 percent.

"To make customized shoes for athletes, we set up a laboratory that has three tracks to simulate different running environments. Also, technologies including foot scanners and a 3D motion capture system are employed," said Zheng Zhiyi, chief scientist of ANTA Sports Science Lab.

Beyond the stadiums, drones shift positions in the sky to form various shapes, including that of an Olympic torchbearer. Over 50 LED screens shipped from China are deployed around Paris to offer livestreaming services for spectators. These advanced technological products are all developed and manufactured in China.

According to Zhao Kai, vice president of the LED screen provider Absen, the screens are notable for their high stability and energy efficiency. It is estimated that an outdoor LED screen covering an area of 2,000 square meters can cut energy consumption by 20 percent compared to traditional screens.

"We not only provide green LED display solutions but also showcase the company's technological innovation and commitment to exploring new advancements," said Zhao.