Excitement builds as wheelchair fencer Gu Haiyan and powerlifter Qi Yongkai are set to represent China as co-flagbearers at the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Summer Paralympics.
Gu, 24, boasts an impressive record with two gold medals from the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021 and five golds plus a silver from last year's Asian Para Games in Hangzhou. In Paris, she will compete in five events, including individual and team foil, epee, and sabre.
Reflecting on her honor, Gu shared, \"I had never thought that I could appear on the world's top stage on behalf of my country. I feel honored.\"
Qi, 25, also brings a stellar performance history, having secured the gold in the men's 59-kilogram division at the Tokyo Paralympics. He set a new continental record by lifting 194 kilograms at the Asian Para Games last year. Qi expressed his pride, saying, \"I'm so glad to be a flagbearer for China at the Paris Paralympics.\"
The Paris Paralympics will run from August 28 to September 9, featuring around 4,400 athletes from 160 nations and regions competing in 549 events across 22 sports. China will be represented by 284 athletes participating in 302 events across 19 sports.
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Gu Haiyan, Qi Yongkai named China's flagbearers for Paris Paralympics
cgtn.com