The audience rose to their feet, and the applause echoed through the arena. It was a moment of glory for Ni Xia Lian, the oldest competitor at this year's Olympics. As the 61-year-old table tennis player from Luxembourg circled the arena waving to the crowd, spectators of all nationalities stood up and applauded, paying their highest respect to this "grandmother-level" athlete. This scene unfolded on July 31st in the women's singles round of 32, where Ni faced the world number one, China's Sun Yingsha, who is 38 years her junior. Ultimately, Ni Xia Lian lost 0-4, marking the end of her journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Just 24 hours earlier, Ni was invited by the Chinese table tennis team to help them prepare for the mixed doubles final. She simulated North Korean player Kim Kum Yong's long-pimpled technique, clearing the last technical hurdle for Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin, China's mixed doubles pair. "When the Chinese team approached me, they were concerned about disrupting my preparation for the singles match against Sun Yingsha. But I didn't hesitate for a moment. The girl plays just like me, and I feel it's my duty to help the Chinese team. My country trained me, and I'm happy to give back in this way," Ni explained.
In the mixed zone, a walk that usually takes 20 meters lasted 40 minutes for Ni. By the time she reached the Chinese reporters, Fan Zhendong had already secured a 2-0 lead in his match, which started at noon. Sun Yingsha, her opponent, commented: "Competing against Auntie Ni at the Olympics was very exciting and joyful. She's always finding ways to handle adversity in the game, and with her extensive international experience and on-the-spot adjustments, she's one of the best players in the world."
For Ni, Paris 2024 Olympics embodied her three dreams. "First, to compete in the Olympics. Second, to win a match. And third, to face Sun Yingsha. I'm incredibly lucky to have achieved all three," she said, her excitement evident as she celebrated her fulfilled dreams in the mixed zone, too overjoyed to contemplate new ones.
The Olympics was once an "unrealistic" wish for Ni. In 1983, at 23, she retired from the national team due to team development needs and then she moved abroad. At the Sydney 2000 Olympics, at 37, she represented Luxembourg, finally realizing her Olympic dream and reaching the women's singles round of 16. From Beijing, London, Rio, Tokyo, to now Paris, over 24 years and six Olympics, Ni has evolved from an "veteran" to someone who is "older than veteran". Journalists no longer inquire about her retirement but about the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
"2028 is too grand a question. Three years ago, I didn't think I'd be here today. I always say let things happen naturally, but we can't defy nature's course. All I can say is that as long as I can play, Los Angeles will be my goal. Table tennis has given me so much joy, and I can't bear to think or talk about leaving," Ni shared.
Source: Yangcheng Evening News
