At just 11 years old, Zheng Haohao from Huizhou City in Guangdong Province is set to become the youngest Chinese athlete to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Securing her spot in the women's park skateboarding event during the Olympic Qualification Series in Shanghai and Budapest, Zheng embodies the dreams and aspirations of young athletes worldwide.
\"I feel pretty good, just to help realize my childhood dream, because when I was young, I wanted to take part in the Olympic Games,\" Zheng shared with China Media Group after her qualification in Budapest. In her Olympic debut, Zheng aims to reach the top 16, marking a significant milestone as she celebrates her 12th birthday on the closing day of the Games.
The upcoming Paris Olympics will feature 405 Chinese athletes competing in 236 events across 30 sports, including 42 Olympic gold medalists. Zhou Jinqiang, deputy director of China's State General Administration of Sport, highlighted that the average age of the Chinese team is 25, with 223 athletes making their Olympic debut.
Among the notable competitors are Sun Yingsha, the defending champion in women's singles table tennis, who expressed her excitement and pride in representing China. Her teammate Fan Zhendong echoed similar sentiments, stating, \"After recent preparation, training and practice, I think I'm ready for the Olympic Games.\"
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will attend the opening ceremony and other events as President Xi Jinping's Special Representative. This gesture underscores China's commitment to the international Olympic movement and its support for France’s hosting of the Games.
China's rich history with the Olympics, having hosted both summer and winter editions within two decades alongside three Asian Games, reflects President Xi's emphasis on the role of sports in promoting national health and global solidarity. Xi has consistently advocated for using sports to build positive energy, address global challenges like climate change, and foster international cooperation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com