On the morning of July 26, at the Sanxingdui Museum in Guanghan City, Sichuan Province, torchbearers swapped batons for paddles—mimicking a high-speed table tennis rally to kick off the Chengdu World Games torch relay. The playful exchange blended Olympic flair with creative choreography before the real highlight: passing the flame to Olympic champion Ma Long.
The relay’s table tennis theme paid homage to China’s storied history in the sport, loved by millions globally. Runners mimed forehands, backhands and lightning-fast smashes, delighting onlookers as they glided through the museum’s ancient artifacts.
“It felt like playing for my country,” said Li Mei, a volunteer runner who swapped her torch for an imaginary paddle. “Bringing the flame to Ma Long in this setting—where history meets sport—was unforgettable.”
Ma Long, fresh off victory at the recent Asian Games, greeted the torch with a winning smile and a trademark salute. His role symbolized a bridge between past and future: from the ancient bronze treasures of Sanxingdui to the cutting-edge arenas set to host the World Games.
As the flame embarks on its journey toward Chengdu, anticipation is soaring among sports fans, tech enthusiasts and global citizens alike. This relay offers a taste of how the Chengdu World Games will fuse cultural heritage with modern innovation, rallying a worldwide audience one paddle swing at a time.
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Chengdu Games torch passed to Ma Long in unique table tennis relay
cgtn.com
