Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

China's amateur marathon runner chases long-cherished dream at Paris Olympic

China

China

China

China's amateur marathon runner chases long-cherished dream at Paris Olympic

2024-08-10 13:50 Last Updated At:23:47

Xu Yiming, a post-95 girl and bank customer manager from east China's Hangzhou City, will run the marathon route at the Paris Olympic Games after 10 years of committed running.

For the first time in Olympic history, a full marathon and a 10km race open to the public will be organized during the Paris Olympics as the organizers bid to offer opportunities for as many people as possible to get close to the heart of the Games adventure. More than 800,000 enthusiasts from around the world applied for a slot, but only slightly over 40,000 runners were lucky enough to qualify.

On the second day after arriving in Paris, Xu continued her routine by starting the day with running in the morning.

"I will adjust myself just as I would in the week before a normal marathon. The overall strategy this week is to reduce the intensity of running. I may run a few short sets of sprints today to activate my muscles," she said.

Xu, who has dedicated over 10 years to running long distances, began preparing for the competition in the summer of 2021 when she learned that a mass participation marathon event would be held during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

According to the guidelines, participants needed to upload their information through apps to achieve 100,000 points by the end of 2023 by attending sports activities, including walking, running, cycling, swimming, and skiing.

To gain eligible points, Xu had to run 3,000 kilometers every year. On the Chinese New Year's Eve in February, Xu received an email from the Paris 2024 organizing committee, informing her that she got the lucky number to participate.

"Just before we started our dinner, I received an email and knew that I had been chosen. I immediately shared this joy with my family, who all have been supporting me in running the marathon," she said.

Upon arrival in France, Xu and her companions checked into their hotel and promptly laced up their running shoes, eager to hit the streets of Paris.

"In the past, when I visited a new city, I took a run to measure the city with my steps and soaked myself in the local atmosphere," she said.

Xu is scheduled to compete in the marathon event at the Olympic Games on Sunday night.

China's amateur marathon runner chases long-cherished dream at Paris Olympic

China's amateur marathon runner chases long-cherished dream at Paris Olympic

China's amateur marathon runner chases long-cherished dream at Paris Olympic

China's amateur marathon runner chases long-cherished dream at Paris Olympic

Next Article

Chinese mainland's Mid-Autumn Festival box office tops 200 million yuan

2024-09-17 02:45 Last Updated At:04:27

The Chinese mainland's box office revenue for the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday season, including presale earnings, exceeded 200 million yuan (around 28 million U.S. dollars) as of 13:46 Monday, according to data from Internet platforms.

The top three films on the Mid-Autumn Festival box office chart on the Chinese mainland were drama film "Stand By Me", comedy "A Frozen Rage" and drama film "Like A Rolling Stone".

A total of 14 movies are being screened on the Chinese mainland during this year's Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, which started on Sunday.

"Comedies are my favorites. I just like the feeling of spreading happiness among people," said a moviegoer in Beijing.

"I watched the 3D version of 'The Wandering Earth II'. Its visual effect is better and the overall effect is stronger. It has a complete story line," said another moviegoer.

Chinese mainland's Mid-Autumn Festival box office tops 200 million yuan

Chinese mainland's Mid-Autumn Festival box office tops 200 million yuan

Recommended Articles