The Chinese delegation who made historic Olympic performance at the Paris 2024 Games was greatly encouraged by President Xi Jinping's speech at Tuesday's meeting.
During the meeting with the Olympic delegation 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.
Xi said that the outstanding achievements of the delegation are not only a concentrated manifestation of the development and progress of China's sports industry, but also an epitome of the achievements of Chinese modernization, fully demonstrating China's strength in the new era.
Pointing out that the athletes have already entered the preparation period for the next Olympics, Xi urged humility, patience and greater efforts from all involved in the sports sector to improve the level of training and competition, work to overcome weaknesses, speed up talent cultivation, and carry out high-quality preparations.
Chinese athletes have shared their feelings after the meeting with President Xi.
"Only when our nation becomes stronger can our sport improve. I truly feel the support of the whole country, from the technological advancements provided to the comfort ensured in our daily lives. This support allows us to perform better in competition," said Ma Long, table tennis team champion who is widely regarded as one of the greatest table tennis players of all time.
"I thought I might feel guilty for not winning the gold medal, but President Xi reminded me that winning and losing are a part of life. This motivates me to continue preparing for the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympic Games," said Chinese swimming athlete Zhang Yufei, who won medals in all six of her events.
"I once competed for the country as an athlete, and now I coach. The change in my role doesn't alter my dedication to bringing honor to our nation. Let's look forward to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where we can reach new heights and write a new chapter together," said Chen Ruolin, a former Olympic champion and coach for Chinese women's diving at Paris Olympics.
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.
President Xi's speech encourages Chinese Olympians
