Chinese swimmer Zhang Yufei Photo: VCG

A total of 26 female athletes who delivered strong performances in the Tokyo Olympics have been awarded the title of National March 8th Red-Banner Holders, one of the nation's top honors for outstanding women. 

The All-China National Women's Federation announced the nomination of the athletes on Wednesday. All the 26 athletes were gold medalists in the just-concluded Tokyo Olympics, including shooter Yang Qian, weightlifter Hou Zhihui, fencer Sun Yiwen, swimmer Zhang Yufei and shot putter Gong Lijiao. 

The Federation has awarded all female gold medalists in the Tokyo Games, except for those who had been awarded the title previously and those who are under 18, including divers Quan Hongchan and Chen Yuxi, and artistic gymnast Guan Chenchen, who have instead all received the China Youth May Fourth Medal on Monday. 

China's national women's table tennis team, the Dream Team that snatched gold in the team event, was awarded the title of National March 8th Red-Banner Collective. 

Chinese ping-pong player Chen Meng (right) and Wang Manyu cheer for victory as China overcame hosts Japan with 3-0 in straight matches to claim its fourth consecutive title in the women's table tennis team competition at the Tokyo Olympic Games on Thursday. (See the story on Page 22) Photo: Cui Meng/GT

The Award for the March 8 Red-Banner Holders, Pacesetters and Collectives has been organized by the All-China Women's Federation since 1960. Being one of the country's top honors to award outstanding women, the award is intended to motivate women to actively participate in social and economic development.

One awarded athlete who preferred to remain anonymous told the Global Times on Wednesday that she was thrilled to be given the title.

She said it is a very high honor for women in the sports field, adding that she was inspired by it and would continue to fight for the country.

Of the 431 athletes of Team China to the Tokyo Olympics, 298 were women. They made outstanding contributions to the team - of the 38 gold medals bagged by Team China, 25 were won by female athletes.

"The Women's Federation's award to female Olympic champions is not only an inspiration and affirmation to these athletes, but also a highlight and affirmation of the characteristics the female athletes showed — powerful, confident, positive and healthy," Ren Hai, a professor at the Olympic Research Center of Beijing Sports University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.