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."
西安碑林博物馆14日起局部开放 门票不分淡旺季每人次10元 中新网西安1月12日电(记者 阿琳娜)记者11日从西安碑林博物馆获悉，该馆自1月10日起采用低票价运行模式，并于1月14日起仅对外开放孔庙古建筑群区域。 机票扩大免费退改范围：航司越“卷”消费者越得利 然玉 1月10日起，南航、东航新版机票退改规则生效。根据公告，南航、东航扩大了客票免费退改范围，放宽了因病退改规则，并新增了票价波动的退票规则等。被视为“ 中新经纬1月11日电 据微信号“中国铁路”11日消息，自1月11日零时起，铁路12306网站(含手机客户端，下同)优化升级候补购票功能，增加候补订单和备选方案数量，扩大候补订单兑现时间选择范围，临时新增旅客列车席位优先配售给 中国经济导报 中国发展网讯 2月20日，龙年春节热闹欢乐的氛围还未散去，甘肃成县就以开局就是决战的干劲、起步就是冲刺的拼劲的崭新面貌召开2024年工作务虚会，聚焦县域经济高质量发展，围绕“2023年怎么看，2 春节档票房破纪录，希望不会成为难以翻越的大山 春节档是全年电影的风向标，优异的春节档票房成绩，会鼓励从业者加倍努力，也会给市场增添希望，但不排除今年春节档会成为一座难以翻越的大山。 _______________ 贵州毕节：蓄势赋能谋发展 高质量推进新型工业化 中新网贵州毕节2月22日电 题：贵州毕节：蓄势赋能谋发展 高质量推进新型工业化 作者 高大涛 陈曦 中国龙年春节假期，贵州省毕节市黔西市新仁乡化屋村游人如织。 。本文链接：Chinese spectator's 'perfect' Olympic experience in Parishttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-24744-0.html
声明：本网站为非营利性网站，本网页内容由互联网博主自发贡献，不代表本站观点，本站不承担任何法律责任。天上不会到馅饼，请大家谨防诈骗！若有侵权等问题请及时与本网联系，我们将在第一时间删除处理。
上一篇： Team China hailed for wins, morale
下一篇： Reform, innovation reconfigure growth pattern in China's western region