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."
1月钢铁市场震荡延续 钢企盈利面临收缩压力 证券时报记者 黄翔 2023年下半年以来，国内钢材市场开始呈现震荡上涨的行情。进入2024年，钢价能否延续这一趋势受到关注。 据了解，去年钢铁行业经历先抑后扬的走 长三角观察｜揽人、赶工、抢订单：春节拼经济“热辣滚烫” 2月10日是正月初一，上午10点，满载工业品、电子产品和衣帽服饰的新春首列“义新欧”中欧班列从浙江义乌铁路口岸出发，驶往西班牙马德里。 在江苏昆山的华 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 大叔追“鸟”、小伙爱“骆驼”，北面户外业务“群狼环伺” 王涵艺 近日，威富集团(VFC.N)发布2024财年第三季度财报(截至2023年12月30日的三个月内)，集团收入同比下滑16%至29.60亿美元(约合213亿元人民币)，净利润 钛白粉出口热度不减 多公司开启年内第二轮涨价 本报记者 黄 群 近日，国内钛白粉企业再度提价，2024年钛白粉第二轮涨价开启。2月20日，先是龙佰集团、惠云钛业宣布当日上调各型号钛白粉销售价格。2月21日，中核 福建今年首个核电机组工程开工 中新社漳州2月22日电 (记者 张金川)福建漳州核电3号机组22日开工建设，这是福建今年首台开工建设的核电机组，标志着漳州核电二期工程建设序幕全面拉开。 据悉，此次开工的二期工程 。本文链接：Chinese spectator's 'perfect' Olympic experience in Parishttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-24744-0.html
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