The much-anticipated Paris Olympics are just around the corner. On July 24, the Chinese Olympic delegation announced the flag bearers of the Paris Olympic Games, two are table tennis player Ma Long and Feng Yu of the women's synchronized swimming team. The flagbearers of the Chinese Olympic delegation are not only a symbol of national honor, but also the inheritor and demonstrator of sportsmanship. Since China's return to the Olympic family in 1984, these flag bearers have demonstrated the rise and strength of Chinese sports to the world with their style and strength. Next, this article will make an inventory of the flagbearers of the previous Chinese Olympic delegations.
At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, the Chinese delegation made its debut in the Olympic arena, and basketball player Wang Libin became the first flag bearer in the history of the Chinese Olympic Games. His tall and upright figure and handsome face not only won the applause of the audience, but also stimulated the fighting spirit of Chinese athletes. With the honor of Asia's best center, Wang Libin carried the banner of Chinese basketball and opened a glorious chapter of the Chinese Olympic team's flag bearer.
At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Song Tao, a basketball player from Shandong, became the flag bearer of the Chinese delegation. In order to show his style, Song Tao deliberately went to wear contact lenses to represent the country's image with the best image. Although the final results of the Chinese men's basketball team in the Olympic Games were not ideal, Song Tao's fighting spirit will always remain in people's hearts.
In the 90s, the tradition of Chinese men's basketball players continuing to serve as Olympic flag bearers continued. In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Song Ligang became the flag bearer of the Chinese delegation. He has participated in two consecutive Olympic Games, showing the tenacity and perseverance of Chinese basketball players.
In the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the flag bearer of the Chinese delegation was men's basketball player Liu Yudong. The majestic and upright, handsome and dashing Liu Yudong shows the demeanor of Chinese Olympic athletes very well.
In the new century, the flag bearer of the Chinese Olympic delegation will continue to be a men's basketball player. In the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Chinese basketball superstar Yao Ming served as the flag bearer for two consecutive years. His appearance not only represents the highest level of Chinese basketball, but also shows the self-confidence and strength of Chinese sports. With his style and strength, Yao Ming has won the respect and praise of the world. In the 2012 London Olympics, Yi Jianlian, as the leader of Chinese basketball, took over the baton or served as the flag bearer of the Chinese delegation.
After the London Olympics, China's Olympic flag bearers began to change, and athletes from other sports also began to serve as flag bearers for the Chinese Olympic delegation. In the 2016 Rio Olympics, the choice of the flag bearer of the Chinese delegation was unexpected. Fencer Lei Sheng became the first non-basketball player in the history of the Chinese delegation to be the flag bearer. This change not only breaks the tradition, but also demonstrates the openness and inclusiveness of Chinese sports. With his strength and demeanor, Lei Sheng has won people's recognition and respect.
At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the Olympic flag bearer opened the two-person mode, and the choice of the flag bearer of the Chinese delegation once again attracted attention. Women's volleyball player Zhu Ting and taekwondo player Zhao Shuai jointly served as the flag bearers for the opening ceremony. Until the Paris Olympics, Ma Long and Feng Yu teamed up to carry the flag.
Looking back at the previous flagbearers of the Chinese Olympic delegation, we can see the rise and strength of Chinese sports. With their demeanor and strength, these flag bearers have demonstrated the charm and spirit of Chinese sports to the world. From the perspective of the source of the flag-bearer, the Chinese men's basketball team has become the biggest winner, with as many as 6 people serving as the flag-bearer, of which Yao Ming and Liu Yudong have served twice. The Paris Olympics are about to begin, let's have a glimpse of Ma Long and Feng Yu!