The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics concluded on Sunday, after 17 days of competition that saw broad participation, historic breakthroughs and China's best-ever performance at an overseas Winter Games.
Following the closing ceremony, several Chinese athletes reflected on their experiences at the Games and the emotions of witnessing the event came to an end.
"Stepping into the venue while holding our national flag was a deeply powerful and shocking experience for me. It was a completely new experience. I feel -- bringing together athletes from different countries who give their all for the sports they love. I think the Chinese team performed exceptionally well this time. Every member gave the best performance and achieved their personal best results, demonstrating exactly what an athlete should be," said Chinese snowboarder Su Yiming, who won men's snowboard slopestyle title for China's first gold at Milan-Cortina.
"The closing ceremony seems to me typical of Milan style. Everyone was so young and excited. The feeling is actually the same as it was four years ago. When the Olympic flag was handed over, it filled me with the same sense of yearning. I am very much looking forward to the Winter Olympics in France," said Chinese freestyle skier Xu Mengtao, who retained the women's freeski aerials title at the just-concluded Games.
"It was a successful start and a successful end, and I am still in a very excited state. Time seems to have passed so quickly. The Winter Olympics had come to an end. I really enjoyed this grand event," Chinese speed skater Ning Zhongyan, who secured China's first-ever Olympic gold in the men's 1,500m speed skating.
Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics closes as China posts best-ever overseas result
