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."
春节档缘何爆发“撤档潮” 2024年春节档以80亿总票房打破多个纪录，迎来开门红。而8部影片有4部官宣“退档”，也为这个春节档带来了“史上罕见”的标签。一时全网哗然，#我也退出了春节档#、#撤档元年#等成热门话题 国家粮食和物资储备局紧急部署做好寒潮雨雪天气应对工作 中新网北京2月18日电 (记者 陈溯)据气象部门预测，近期我国出现大范围寒潮雨雪天气，中央气象台18日将寒潮预警提升至橙色，且本轮寒潮天气过程与春运假期后 预约“手慢无”！各地春节文旅成绩单亮眼 中新网北京2月19日电(张钰惠)18日，文旅部发布数据显示，春节假期8天全国国内旅游出游4.74亿人次，同比增长34.3%，按可比口径较2019年同期增长19.0%；国内游客出游总花费6326.87 中新经纬2月18日电 龙年首场寒潮来袭，雨雪、大风、沙尘暴齐袭，多地高速受影响堵车或暂时封闭、列车停运。 中央气象台18日晨将寒潮预警提升至橙色，这也是寒潮预警的最高等级。预计，2月18日至22日，我国大部地区将自 2024年全国两会召开在即。过去一年，全国人大代表和全国政协委员们心系国是、情牵民生，交出了一份份合格的履职答卷。在履职中他们关注哪些热点难点问题？今年他们又准备了什么议案和提案、建议？让 2月21日，司法部、国家发展改革委、全国人大常委会法工委共同组织召开民营经济促进法立法座谈会，听取民营企业代表和专家学者对立法的意见建议。会议强调，要坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为 。本文链接：Chinese spectator's 'perfect' Olympic experience in Parishttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-24744-0.html
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