A Chinese spectator spoke with China.org.cn about her "perfect" experience at the 2024 Paris Olympics which concluded on Sunday.
Gao Qian poses with an Olympic torch at OLY House in Paris before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games, July 26, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]
"To sum up my experience in one sentence: It was like a dream, a beautiful dream," said Gao Qian, a Chinese national living and working overseas between Dubai and Paris. She stayed in Paris for the entirety of the Games, attended 10 sporting events, and spent her remaining time touring the city, experiencing the culture, and watching other events on TV at OLY House and fan zones around the city.
Gao observed that there was a wide variety of venues, with iconic landmarks and buildings integrated. Sports were everywhere, transportation was convenient, volunteers were kind and enthusiastic, and the atmosphere was so great that every event felt like a carnival. "I had been worried about the security and organization before I came, but personally, it was perfect," Gao said.
Gao Qian poses for a photo with former Olympians at a 2024 Paris Olympics track and field event in Paris, Aug. 2, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]
Life in Paris was convenient and comfortable during the period, and prices remained almost the same, except for a slight increase in subway ticket prices. Despite the influx of tourists from around the world, the city felt notably "silent" as many locals left for holidays elsewhere to avoid the crowds. Additionally, many tourists who had planned to visit Paris chose other destinations to avoid congestion, resulting in fewer traffic jams.
"Paris, originally known for its ancient beauty, now incorporates fresh, lively modern elements in a perfect combination. Enthusiastic Olympic tourists and volunteers filled the entire city with joy and smiles," Gao said.
She also noted that numerous cultural and sports activities were held daily across the city to promote sports and various national cultures. Many of the activities were designed with children in mind, fostering a sense of inclusion for all attendees. Additionally, they covered unique topics such as athletes' transitions to post-retirement life, with many Olympic veterans inspiring the next generation through their personal stories.
Gao Qian and Nick Howarth, an Australian former Olympian, at the women's singles tennis final, where China's Zheng Qinwen won gold, Paris, Aug. 3, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]
She talked to local friends about their feelings, many of whom felt positively about the experience and didn't want it to end. One friend mentioned that the Olympics allowed them to shift their focus away from politics.
"Just as one of my French friends described: Before the Olympics, they complained and self-mocked; during the event, they cheered for their athletes louder than anyone; and after the Olympics, they simply said 'not bad' and returned to their usual world-weariness and cynicism," she said. "This is very French."
When Chinese divers Chen Yuxi and Quan Hongchan, and tennis sensation Zheng Qinwen, won their gold medals, Gao was there to feel the exhilarating atmosphere. "I cheered loudly from start to finish and was always in tears. I felt warmth, pride and overwhelming emotion as Chinese national flags filled the arenas. When I left, foreigners and volunteers came up to offer congratulations," she recalled.
Gao Qian celebrates Zheng Qinwen's victory at the 2024 Olympic Games with friends from the United Kingdom, Australia and Saudi Arabia in Paris, Aug. 3, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]
"I saw our athletes earn respect and applause from the global audience even when competing in non-dominant events," Gao explained. "Volunteers would greet me in simple Chinese, and people from different countries approached me to say that their favorite opening ceremony was Beijing 2008, and to congratulate the Chinese team on making historic breakthroughs in Paris."
China finished second in the overall medal table at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with 40 gold, 27 silver and 24 bronze medals, marking the country's best performance at an overseas Olympic Games.
Edwin Moses, the American former Olympic champion hurdler, watches the men's 400-meter hurdles final at OLY House in Paris, Aug. 9, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]
"For me, the visual impact and memories of this Olympics are unparalleled, providing every participant with a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Gao said.
She concluded by recounting a memorable moment at OLY House, where she watched the men's 400-meter hurdles final as the U.S. clinched gold: "Sitting in front of me was Edwin Moses, who won gold medals in this race at the 1976 and 1984 Olympic Games. It was surreal. In that moment, nationality faded into the background — it was all about the people, sports, dreams, achievements and legacies. I deeply admire and respect them and their lives."
25省份出台预制菜发展标准 上下游行业等待“国标”出台 预制菜行业进入发展的快车道。 从2020年开始，预制菜概念逐渐走入大众视野，市场规模不断扩大。截至2022年，预制菜市场规模已突破4000亿元。到了2023年，政 2024年春节档观众满意度调查结果显示：4部影片超85分 中新网北京2月18日电(记者 上官云)记者从中国电影艺术研究中心获悉，中国电影观众满意度调查？2024年春节档调查结果显示，春节档观众满意度得分85.9分，为2015年以 八部影片半数撤档 春节档为何出现罕见“撤档潮” 据猫眼专业版数据，截至昨日17时，2024春节档总票房破80亿，总人次1.62亿，总场次383.6万，全面刷新中国影史春节档纪录。然而，几家欢乐几家愁，今年春节档冷热不均，出现了罕 2月21日，湖北省仙桃市委书记孙道军，市委副书记、代市长熊享涛，会见湖北鼎龙控股股份有限公司董事长朱双全、深圳深创生物医药有限公司董事长马亚平一行，就具体项目开展洽谈。政企双方表示，要务实合作、携 拼版照片：上图为20世纪80年代的厦门筼筜湖（资料照片）；下图为2024年1月24日拍摄的厦门筼筜湖及周边城市景观（新华社记者姜克红摄，无人机照片）。新华社记者付敏城在海上，海在城中。筼筜湖，犹如镶嵌在厦门岛中央 “新年刚过，我已经买好了十一旅游的机票” 中新网北京2月23日电(张钰惠)在年初就买好全年的旅行机票，是一种怎样的体验？近日，三亚、哈尔滨等网红城市的天价返程机票引发关注。为了最大程度上避开高价机票，压缩旅 。本文链接：Chinese spectator's 'perfect' Olympic experience in Parishttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-24744-0.html
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