Can you imagine a ping-pong racket and a water lotus flower going hand in hand at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games? It sounds like a fantastic fairy tale, but at the upcoming Paris Olympics, this picture will become a reality. Let's uncover the story behind this unique combination.
On July 24, the Chinese sports delegation announced an exciting news: Ma Long and Feng Yu will serve as Chinese flag bearers for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The decision immediately sparked heated discussions in the sports world and on social media. Why them? What is the meaning behind this choice?
Ma Long, the name is simply a legend for table tennis lovers. He is not only the current captain of the national table tennis team, but also a frequent visitor to the Olympic Games. Three Olympic Games, five gold medals, such a result is enough to make any athlete proud for life. But for Malone, that wasn't enough. Paris will be his fourth Olympic journey, and he is aiming for a sixth Olympic gold medal.
Feng Yu's story is a little more low-key, but it's just as fascinating. As a rising star of the Chinese synchronized swimming team, she has achieved many achievements in the international arena in recent years. Her performances are not only technical, but also full of artistic beauty, and are known as "water ballet".
Why did the national team choose these two athletes as its flag bearers? There are deliberate considerations behind this decision.
Malone's choice reflects the importance he attaches to traditional advantageous projects. Table tennis has always been China's "national sport", and it is a gold medalist in the Olympic Games. According to statistics, since table tennis became an official Olympic event in 1988, the Chinese team has won 32 gold medals in this event, accounting for 76% of the total number of gold medals. Ma Long, as the representative of this ace project, is undoubtedly one of the most suitable candidates.
After learning the news, Malone said: "I am very proud to be the flag bearer. This is not only an affirmation of me personally, but also the inheritance and development of the 'champion teacher' of national table tennis. His words are full of responsibility and mission, which is exactly what a good athlete should be.
Feng Yu's choice reflects the importance and encouragement of emerging projects. Although synchronized swimming is not a traditional advantage in China, it has developed rapidly in recent years. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Chinese Huayou team won a silver medal and a bronze medal, creating the best results in history. As a representative of the new generation of this project, Feng Yu's growth trajectory is the epitome of the continuous progress of Chinese synchronized swimming.
Feng Yu said in an interview: "When I learned that I became a flag bearer, I was really surprised. This is not only a recognition of my personal achievements, but also an encouragement and support for all members of the Chinese synchronized swimming team. Her words reveal gratitude to the team and expectations for the future.
The combination of Ma Long and Feng Yu has another meaning: they represent a combination of experience and vitality, respectively. The 36-year-old Ma Long is a "veteran" of the Olympic Games, while the 24-year-old Feng Yu is a "rookie". This combination of the old and the new not only reflects the inheritance of China's sports industry, but also symbolizes the sustainable development and innovation of China's sports.
Ma Long's Olympic experience is legendary. At London 2012, he won gold in the men's doubles on his first appearance. At Rio 2016, he won gold in both singles and team events. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, he once again won two gold medals in singles and team. Five Olympic gold medals have made him one of the most successful athletes in table tennis history.
Feng Yu's Olympic journey has just begun. Tokyo 2020 was her Olympic debut, where she won silver with Huang Xuechen in the pairs event and bronze with her teammates in the team event. This is quite an achievement for a newcomer to the Olympics. At the upcoming Paris Olympics, she will undoubtedly have even greater expectations and goals.
Ma Long and Feng Yu's choice also reflects another characteristic of Chinese sports: the emphasis on individual achievement as well as team spirit. Although Ma Long has made remarkable personal achievements, he values the honor of the national table tennis collective. Although Feng Yu has superb individual skills, the success of synchronized swimming is inseparable from the team's cooperation. They are all the best representatives of the "team spirit" in their respective projects.
This choice has also sparked a heated public debate. Some netizens commented: "Ma Long represents the 'important weapon of the country' of Chinese sports, and Feng Yu symbolizes the 'rising star' of Chinese sports, this combination is too meaningful!" Another person said: "Seeing Ma Long and Feng Yu is like seeing the past and future of Chinese sports, which makes people full of confidence." "
Of course, there are some voices of skepticism. Some argue that other, younger athletes should be chosen to embody the Olympic spirit of "faster, higher, stronger". It has also been suggested that elite athletes in other sports should be considered to demonstrate the all-round development of Chinese sports.
In the face of these different voices, a head of the Chinese Olympic Committee explained: "Choosing a flag bearer is a comprehensive process. We value not only the individual achievements of our athletes, but also their mental qualities, team contributions and social impact. The combination of Ma Long and Feng Yu is the most representative of the current situation and future development direction of Chinese sports. "
What do you think of Ma Long and Feng Yu being selected as standard-bearers? Do you think this is the right choice? Or do you have other suggestions? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section. Perhaps, your opinion will be a reference for choosing a flag bearer for the next Olympic Games!
Let's look forward to the arrival of the Paris Olympics and cheer for the Chinese athletes. Regardless of the final result, their fighting spirit and teamwork are the true embodiment of the Olympic spirit. Are you ready to witness this exciting time?
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