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."
中新经纬1月11日电 据高检网11日消息，国家开发银行原党委委员、副行长王用生涉嫌受贿一案，由国家监察委员会调查终结，移送检察机关审查起诉。日前，经最高人民检察院指定管辖，吉林省人民检察院依法以涉嫌受贿罪对王用生 最长春节假期收官：中外游客“双向奔赴”，出境游创4年峰值 澎湃新闻记者 唐莹莹 史上最长春节假期正式收官。多家在线旅游平台发布的报告显示，8-9天的假期让春节期间的出游时间和出游距离双双拉长。 春节前 中国春节跨境游回暖：免签效应强，入境消费火 中新社北京2月18日电 (记者 夏宾)“双向奔赴”的跨境旅游在中国春节假期回暖。 随着中国对多个国家单方面免签证，与新加坡、马来西亚互免签证，推出一系列入境游便利 新华社记者董瑞丰“基层群众愿不愿意在‘家门口’接受基本医疗服务，关键在于县域医共体牵头医院有没有硬核实力。”去年3月，全国政协委员成岳冲提交了一份提案，深入分析我国县域医共体建设存 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 中新经纬2月23日电 (周奕航)“和以往相比，今年的订单量足足翻了四五倍。”山东省菏泽市曹县的汉服加工厂老板陆平(化名)对中新经纬表示。 这个春节，马面裙火了。许多年轻人身穿马面裙，行走在大街小巷、灯展庙会间 。本文链接：Chinese spectator's 'perfect' Olympic experience in Parishttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-24744-0.html
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