Photo: Li Hao/GT

 
A deputy chief of the Chinese delegation at the Paris Olympics called for understanding and tolerance toward athletes who fall short of expectations at the Olympics, though notable successes have been made with 21 gold medals across various disciplines.

Zhou Jinqiang, a deputy chief of the Chinese delegation, said the delegation has shown full understanding toward athletes who experienced mistakes or did not perform to their usual standards.

"The competition at the Olympics is extremely intense, and athletes face immense pressure, which often result in a higher error rate compared to other competitions," Zhou told a press conference on August 6 at the China House in the Solomon Rothschild Mansion in Paris. "Wins and losses are a normal part of the process."

Zhou highlighted the artistic gymnastics athletes' performance at the Olympics. 

"In the recent finals of the women's balance beam and men's horizontal bar events, the athletes who made it to the finals are all top-level competitors who have undergone long and rigorous training," Zhou said. "Despite this, many of them experienced various degrees of errors such as balance issues or falls."

After the men's team missed out on gold, the delegation focused on reducing the pressure on the Chinese gymnasts, Zhou said, helping them adjust their mind-set and concentrate on future competitions. 

This approach proved effective as the team went on to win gold medals in the men's rings and parallel bars, and ultimately secured a total of two gold, five silver, and two bronze medals. While the overall result was slightly below expectations, the team's ability to adapt and perform under pressure was remarkable, Zhou noted.

Zhou also highlighted the solid beginning of the Chinese delegation, noting that they had set a strong foundation for the competitions ahead. 

"We have made a great start with two gold medals and one bronze in shooting, diving, and swimming, which has boosted the morale of the entire team and increased the confidence of our athletes for the remaining events," Zhou said.

In the shooting events, the Chinese team excelled in the 10-meter air rifle mixed team competition. 

Sheng Lihao and Huang Yuting showcased exceptional skills and composure under pressure, clinching the first gold medal for China. Their performance embodied the "first gold spirit" of shooting, and their achievement was highly commended.

In diving, the duo of Chang Yani and Chen Yiwen dominated the women's synchronized three-meter springboard, securing the gold medal and continuing China's streak of Olympic victories in this event for six consecutive Games. This win underscores the prowess of China's diving "dream team." 

In swimming, where initial performances did not meet the training levels, the delegation made efforts to communicate directly with the athletes, helping them release stress while also pushing them to perform at their best. 

This strategy led to a breakthrough performance by Pan Zhanle, who set a new world record with a time of 46.40 seconds in the men's 100-meter freestyle and won the gold medal. 

Despite a noticeable gap between China and the leading European and US teams, the Chinese swimmers demonstrated resilience by challenging top competitors from the US and Australia to earn a valuable bronze medal in women's 4×100 meter freestyle relay with an Asian record-setting performance.

Following this, the Chinese swimming team continued to improve, achieving a significant breakthrough with two golds, three silvers, and seven bronzes.

Zhou also singled out several standout moments from the Games. 

The BMX cycling team made an impressive debut by winning a gold medal by female rider Deng Yawen, challenging long-standing competitors and boosting the team's spirit. 

Female tennis star Zheng Qinwen made history by securing Asia's first singles tennis gold medal at the Olympics, and the mixed doubles team of Zhang Zhizhen and Wang Xinyu advanced to the final in their Olympic debut. 

Zhou emphasized that the Chinese athletes have displayed the spirit of Chinese sportsmanship both on and off the field, embodying the fighting spirit of the younger generation. 

With six days remaining in the Paris Olympics, the Chinese delegation will compete in 90 more events across various sports, such as weightlifting, athletics, artistic swimming, track cycling, boxing, taekwondo, wrestling, climbing and breakdancing. 

"The upcoming competitions are filled with both challenges and opportunities," Zhou said. "We will continue to learn from our experiences, enhance our management and support systems, maintain a high spirit and winning mind-set, and strive for both athletic success and the promotion of sportsmanship."