Many Chinese athletes were qualified to compete the new sports of Olympic Games in just few years and showed their potential to win medals in the Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) Shanghai stop, said Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The competitions of four emerging Olympic sports in Shanghai stop, including skateboarding, sport climbing, break-dancing and BMX freestyle cycling, concluded on Sunday. A total of 28 Chinese athletes competed across the four items, with the goal of earning more qualification positions for the Paris Olympics.
Bach said at a press conference on Sunday that many Chinese athletes have been in the top three in the last two days.
"I came here, I watched the first event, and it was a clean sweep for China. So I think this is setting some expectations. If you look at such a great performance and we've seen it, over the two days, more number of the Chinese athletes have been in the top three ranking, where you put this in the context. It's another amazing development here in China. Because five years ago, there were hardly any Chinese athletes being represented in these new sports. Now in this very few years, you see, here a number of athletes who are with their performance here are establishing themselves, not only as the participants of the Olympic Games, but also as potential medal winners in the event," said Bach.
In the BMX Freestyle Women's Park Final, China's Sun Sibei, Sun Jiaqi and Deng Yawen won the gold, silver and bronze awards respectively.
In women's speed climbing, China's Zhou Yafei clinched first prize with a speed of just 6.54 seconds, her personal record. And in men's speed climbing, China's Wu Peng won second prize with 4.88 seconds, just 0.05 seconds behind Indonesia's Veddriq Leonardo, who won the game.
In break-dancing, China's Qi Xiangyu also won second prize.
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games are set to take place from July 26 to August 11.
IOC president hails performance of Chinese athletes in Shanghai Olympic Qualifier Series
IOC president hails performance of Chinese athletes in Shanghai Olympic Qualifier Series
On his second official visit to China, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable ability to balance preserving its cultural heritage with embracing innovative transformation.
Salwai paid an official visit to China from July 7 to 12. During his trip, he toured the southern province of Guangdong and explored the megacities of Beijing and Shanghai. His visit included tours of high-tech companies, a ride on a high-speed train, and a performance of traditional Cantonese opera.
In an interview with China Central Television Network (CCTV) aired on Friday, Salwai recounted his journey starting with a warm welcome that included enjoying Beijing Roast Duck, also known as Peking Duck -- a culinary delight introduced to him by the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu.
"Many had to say. Peking Duck. Because we had it here on our arrival, so it was very tasty. And I understand that the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu brought us to one of the traditional restaurants, small but beautiful," he said. The prime minister sees China's preservation of its culture as a vital lesson in understanding one's roots and the journey to the present day, acknowledging China's efforts to integrate cultural preservation with modernization.
"It's going to be my second official visit to China. I'm always impressed to see big changes and especially innovations made by China and especially the cities. Because a big impression is to see how China continues to maintain and keep its culture. Because I think it's the basis of everything -- to know where you come from and to understand where we are today. I feel that China is doing a lot to maintain its culture, but at the same time, doing, innovating to transform its culture,” Salwai said.
He also emphasized the importance of learning from China's sustainable development strategies.
"Today, it comes from a long way, some hardship, the government, and also the people of China. So, I'm impressed to see what is done, especially how China associates infrastructure development with nature. That's meant to keep, continue to keep the environment. It takes effort with the climate change by maintaining the ecosystem. I think it's something that, for a small country like Vanuatu, is important to learn. So, we are here. I'm here with my delegation to learn," Salwai said.
Vanuatu's PM commends China's cultural preservation, innovation amid fast growth
