Xi's speech inspires Olympic athletes to pursue more sporting success

Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at Tuesday's meeting with the Olympic delegation who starred at the Paris 2024 Games has inspired athletes to forge ahead with greater confidence as they look to deliver more sporting success on the global stage.

During the meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi praised the Chinese Olympians for their outstanding performances and level of sportsmanship displayed at the recent Paris Olympics, saying they had made the whole country proud while urging further efforts to build China into a global sports powerhouse.

The Chinese delegation secured 40 golds, 27 silvers, and 24 bronze medals in Paris, the country's best medal haul since the 2008 Beijing Olympics and its best ever performance at an overseas Games.

China's rhythmic gymnasts made history to win the country's first Olympic group all-around gold medal in Paris on Aug 10, with the five team members performing exceptionally at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena, securing first place in the eight-team final.

Team member Wang Lanjing explained that the winning routine featured many distinctive Chinese characteristics.

"We incorporated many Chinese elements into our three ribbons and two balls performance. For example, our movements included gestures like playing the guzheng (a traditional Chinese instrument), and our competition attire was inspired by the colors of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). This was our way of showcasing the charm of traditional Chinese culture to the world, and I believe it's the best testament to our cultural confidence," said Wang.

Another milestone moment came as China claimed its first ever gold medal in artistic swimming after dominating the team acrobatic contest on Aug 7. Despite the astounding achievement, the team say they will now refocus as they work towards their next competitive target.

"Even now, I still feel very excited, but I believe we have only achieved one stage of our [wider] goal. As the General Secretary [Xi] mentioned when meeting with us, we have successfully completed our mission at Paris 2024, and it's now time for us to embark on a new journey," said head coach Zhang Xiaohua.

Chinese women's hockey team captain Ou Zixia and her teammates competed valiantly in the women's hockey final, drawing 1-1 with the Netherlands in regular time and eventually losing 3-1 in the penalty shootout. Despite the painful loss, this result equals the team's best Olympic showing since their debut in 2000, matching the silver medal won at the Beijing 2008 Games.

"Every Chinese team has its own outstanding or good traditions, and the women's hockey team is no exception. From the more than 40 years since the team was first established until now, it has consistently demonstrated resilience and the ability to endure hardship and fight hard. I believe that the reason we have made it this far is because we have inherited the spirit passed down from one generation to the next, and we are merely carrying it forward. We hope this silver medal will help boost the development of hockey in China and bring the sport to a wider audience," said Ou.

Gymnast Zou Jingyuan, the defending champion from the Tokyo Games, shrugged off a shoulder injury to retain the men's parallel bars title in Paris, becoming only the third man to win two golds in a row on this apparatus. After meeting President Xi, the star gymnast highlighted the importance of overcoming struggles, citing his pre-competition injury concerns.

"(Xi's) concern and earnest expectations remind us that, whether in sports or in life, it's important to embody the spirit of perseverance. In our daily life, we also need to work hard and boost such positive energy," said Zou.

Meanwhile, the legendary Ma Long -- widely regarded as one of the greatest table tennis players of all time -- wrapped up his last Olympic appearance in style as he teamed up with his compatriots to secure gold in the men's team event on Aug 10. This marked Ma's sixth Olympic gold, a feat which makes him most the decorated Chinese Olympian ever. "I'm so glad and honored to win my sixth Olympic gold and to see the Chinese delegation achieve the best results at an overseas Olympic Games. For me personally, I hope to pass on my competition experience and understanding of table tennis to the next generation, so that they can contribute to the Chinese table tennis team and to Chinese sports as a whole," said Ma.

Another valiant performer in Paris was veteran shot putter Gong Lijiao, who ranked fifth in what was her fifth Olympic Games appearance. Despite all the ups and downs in her career, the 35-year-old Gong, a three-time Olympic medalist who won gold at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, vowed to fight on in pursuit of more glory in the international arena, while also helping nurture the next generation of stars in her sport.

"As a veteran athlete, I will continue to fight as a shot putter out on the field, and train more new athletes to help them achieve a greater performance level, so that the spirit of Chinese sports will continue to be passed down through the generations," said Gong.

Xi's speech inspires Olympic athletes to pursue more sporting success

China's alcohol market is becoming increasingly appealing to foreign brands due to its diversified consumer base, rich spirits culture and complete digital ecosystem.

The Macallan, a renowned Scotch whisky brand under leading global spirits company Edrington Group, is focusing on strengthening its presence in China and leveraging its experience in the country to expand globally.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Francois Saurel, Regional Managing Director of Edrington for the Asia Pacific, shared his views on the Chinese market and factors that influence their strategies.

"China is very important for us, it has always been, and it's even more and more year after year. The immense opportunity of the market, the passion that the Chinese consumers, the Chinese clientele is showing for whisky, looks unstoppable," said Saurel.

The lion's share of China's liquor consumption is occupied by its traditional distilled spirit -- baijiu. For The Macallan, this apparent challenge is an opportunity in disguise.

"Actually, we don't see that as a competition at all. To the contrary, we see that as a very positive foundation for the future development of our brand, because if baijiu is so important in China, it's because spirits play a pivotal role in Chinese culture. It's about this kind of mediation, helping the conversation, the deepened conversation, the friendship, the social gathering of the Chinese clientele," he said.

Meanwhile, China's advanced digital ecosystem has also helped the brand grow, he stressed.

"Digital ecosystem is something very important. China is really where the digital is at the level of sophistication, which is on top in the rest of the world, unmatched in the rest of the world. And here we have advanced our capabilities in terms of platform, but also in term of resources, to make the most of that opportunity to engage with the Chinese clientele," Saurel said.

Scotch whisky brand sees opportunity in China's spirited liquor culture