Paris, August 26, 2024, The Europe Today: Wheelchair fencer Gu Haiyan and weightlifter Qi Yongkai have been selected as the flag bearers for China at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, set to take place on Wednesday evening.
Gu Haiyan, 24, a decorated Paralympic champion from Sichuan Province, has been a dominant force in wheelchair fencing for the past decade. She made her mark at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, where she secured two gold medals in the foil individual A and women’s team foil events. Her impressive performance continued at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, where she clinched five gold medals and one silver. In Paris, Gu is scheduled to compete in three individual events—foil, epee, and sabre—as well as two team competitions in foil and epee.
Joining her as a flag bearer is 25-year-old weightlifter Qi Yongkai from Hebei Province. Qi also had a standout performance at the Tokyo Paralympics, where he won gold in the men’s 59kg weightlifting category. At the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, he set a new record by lifting 194kg, further cementing his status as a leading athlete in his discipline.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, which run from August 28 to September 8, mark China’s 11th participation in the Summer Paralympic Games. The Chinese delegation, one of the largest at the event, comprises 516 members, including 284 athletes who will compete in 302 events across 19 sports.
As flag bearers, Gu and Qi symbolize the strength and determination of China’s Paralympic team as they aim to continue their country’s proud legacy of excellence in Paralympic sport.
