As the Paris Olympics comes to a close, the Guangdong sports delegation has achieved a historic result with 8 gold, 4 silver, and 4 bronze medals, setting new records in both the total number of medals and gold medals won. This performance has exceeded expectations, according to Cui Jian, the Head of the Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province.
Breakthrough in artistic swimming
At the Paris Olympics, Guangdong sent 38 athletes to represent the Chinese sports delegation, accounting for about 9.4% of the total number of athletes. Guangdong's contribution to gold medals was the highest among all provinces and municipalities in China.
Cui highlighted a significant breakthrough in artistic swimming, showing reporters coverage from major French media. The French newspaper "L'Équipe"featured a front-page story on China's incredible progress in artistic swimming. France's top French-language TV channel, France 5,made a special report on the Chinese artistic swimming team, and EUROSPORT prominently displayed photos of each Chinese swimmer after their victory. "We're seeing how Chinese cultural confidence is shining on the international Olympic stage," Cui remarked.
Need for optimization in project structure and talent pool
Despite the impressive achievements, Cui noted areas for improvement. Compared to other major sports provinces, the number of Guangdong's athletes is relatively small, indicating a need for a stronger talent pool. Additionally, there are challenges in the structure of gold medal events that require further analysis and improvement.
"For example, according to the national 6+3+3 strategy, we have issues beyond diving in the six traditional gold medal sports. We need to work harder in swimming, gymnastics, and table tennis," Cui explained.
New sports events have also been introduced in the Olympics. Cui watched breakdancing competitions and expressed his thoughts on emerging sports. "We had three skateboarders from Guangdong this time, but none advanced, indicating a significant gap. In tennis, a traditionally strong sport for Europe and the U.S., Wang Xinyu and Zhang Zhizhen's silver medal reflects positive progress in our open sports policies. However, we must innovate and make breakthroughs in our sports management and operational mechanisms for future competitive sports development."
Experience from Paris for the 15th National Games
Cui was impressed by the enthusiasm and minimalist style of the Paris Olympic venues and their advanced information services.
"The network coverage at any venue was smooth, including at the 80,000-capacity Stade de France, where images were transmitted seamlessly, and results for all events could be quickly accessed via mobile phones. The atmosphere at the venues was excellent, integrating France's best landscapes and architecture with the sports venues. The temporary venues were convenient and provided a refreshing viewing experience. The emphasis on environmental sustainability was evident in all aspects, offering valuable insights for us in hosting the 15th National Games."
Source | Yangcheng Evening News
