True Olympism embodied in Chinese athletes

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President Xi Jinping on Tuesday hailed Chinese Olympians for their performance and sportsmanship at the Paris Olympics, saying they have won glory for the country and the people, according to Xinhua reports.

President Xi, on several occasions, has emphasized the importance of developing China into a sporting powerhouse. To this end, the country has witnessed significant progress in sports development over the past decade, with Chinese athletes making record-breaking achievements at the Summer and Winter Olympics and other global sports events.

At the just-concluded Paris Summer Olympics, China won the men's 4x100m medley relay, breaking the United States' 40-year unbeaten streak in this event. Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle, with a world record-setting time of 46.40 seconds, won a gold medal in the 100m freestyle – the first time that a Chinese male swimmer won first place in this event at the Olympics. In addition, Zheng Qinwen made history by winning the first gold medal in women's singles for both China and Asia.

China's groundbreaking achievements, as President Xi noted, have demonstrated the development of China's sports industry and the strides in Chinese modernization. In addition, the country's achievements in events that were once dominated by athletes from other countries have embodied the Olympic motto of "Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together," underscored the profound values of sportsmanship that lie at the heart of the Olympic spirit, and demonstrated the country's commitments to overall sporting prowess.

Olympism is more than triumphs. Chinese young athletes have shifted away from the "gold medal only" mentality to a more inclusive approach to sports. Their inclusiveness and confidence in competition and cross-cultural interactions are more inspiring than breakthrough performances.

It is worth noting that Chinese badminton player He Bingjiao held a Team Spain Olympic pin in her hand when taking to the podium to collect her silver medal – a gesture in honor of her Spanish opponent Carolina Marin who was forced to abandon the women's singles competition due to an injury. He explained at the post-match press conference that she hoped to bring Marin's spirit to the final match.

Although He, as a silver medalist, may not have impressed all the audience with her performance in the competition, her display of sportsmanship on the podium is one of the most impressive moments at the Paris Olympics.

"The Olympic spirit at its finest!" the Spanish Olympic Committee thanked He on social media. Marin also expressed her gratitude to He in a statement released on August 6, "I wished He Bingjiao all the best in the final because sportsmanship was above all else. But the moment on the podium is one of the loveliest gestures anyone has ever made to me and I will always be incredibly grateful to her."

The true essence of sports is not just about winning medals, but also about enjoying competition and respecting opponents. The Olympic spirit is not just about being faster, higher, and stronger, but also about embracing sports with an inclusive attitude.

As President Xi said earlier, sport is a bond that promotes friendship among peoples, Chinese athletes have demonstrated their inclusiveness and magnanimity at the Olympics, fostering relationships with their peers from all across the world.

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