Beijing, March 09, 2024, The Europe Today: As China’s top legislature and political advisory body convene for the second sessions, the spotlight is on the expectations surrounding Chinese athletes at the upcoming Paris Olympics. With a remarkable record of finishing in the top three in the gold medal count for six consecutive Olympic Games, anticipation is running high as the countdown to the Paris Olympics approaches 150 days.
During the annual sessions of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Zhou Jinqiang, a CPPCC member and deputy director of the State General Administration of Sport of China, shared insights into China’s Olympic preparations. According to Zhou, China has secured 218 Olympic slots for the Paris Games, with the possibility of additional qualifications as some sports’ qualifying tournaments are yet to conclude.
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France in 2024, Zhou emphasized the importance of promoting exchanges between the two countries through participation in the Paris Olympics.
Wang Liqin, a CPPCC member and former Olympic table tennis champion, offered advice to Paris-bound athletes, encouraging them to toughen their mentality. Reflecting on the challenges faced by China’s table tennis squad at the recent ITTF World Championships in South Korea, Wang highlighted the positive aspect of identifying and addressing problems for better Olympic preparedness.
Liu Shiying, a CPPCC member and women’s javelin Olympic champion, shared her dedication to preparing for the Paris Olympics. Despite past successes, Liu expressed her commitment to giving her all and striving for excellent results in Paris.
Yang Yang, China’s first Winter Olympic gold medalist and a CPPCC member, emphasized the importance of Chinese athletes being models of sportsmanship while achieving success in Paris. She highlighted the Olympics as an opportunity to showcase a country’s image and expressed hope that Chinese athletes would demonstrate respect for opponents alongside their pursuit of good results.
As the momentum builds for the Paris Olympics, the delegation at the annual legislative sessions signals China’s strong commitment to athletic excellence, international cooperation, and sportsmanship on the global stage.
