The China Story
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Along with records broken and medals celebrated, competing at the Olympics is more often littered with narrow defeats, last-gasp errors and mental meltdowns that build true character and sportsmanship.
PARIS - Gabby Williams' beat-the-buzzer long shot was counted as two points and France failed to pull down one of the biggest victories in the Olympic basketball history, losing 67-66 to the United States in the women's basketball final at the Paris Olympics here on Sunday.
Trailing by 67-64 with three seconds left, Williams, who scored 19 points, made the basket on the top of the arc. The screen of the Bercy Arena flashed with "Three-pointer" and the whole stadium was in ecstasy until the referees confirmed it as a two-point shot.
This is the eighth time in a row the US women's basketball team won the gold medal dating back to the Atlanta 1996, after their 61st consecutive victory at the Olympics.
Starting the second quarter on 17-9, the Americans failed to find their attacking power to let the hosts come back and even lead by 25-23. Napheesa Collier's layup tied it on 25-25 to avoid the first fall-back before the break in Paris for the US.
France had a dream opening in the second half with a 10-0 run for a 35-25 lead, the biggest margin in the match, but Collier's lay-up usurped their lead by 41-40 with 2:30 to go in the quarter.
A standing ovation of the packed Bercy Arena whistled the final quarter by 45-43 for the US, and the two teams exchanged baskets to tie six times all the way up to 55-55.
Leading 60-59 with 1:32 left, the US picked up their defence to extend the gap to four points before Williams made the last shot.
Australia defeated Belgium 85-81 to win the bronze medal, the first Olympic medal since the London 2012 for the three-time silver medalists.
After a quite even 37-36 first half, Australia opened up the lead by 52-42 before Belgium used a 17-5 run to make it 59-57.
Leading by 61-60 to enter the fourth quarter, Belgium fell back again by 76-69 after Alanna Smith's three-point play with just over four minutes left.
It was a three-point game on 81-78 with almost one minute to go, but Belgium couldn't get closer after that until Julie Vanloo's beat-the-buzzer 3-pointer.
Ezi Magbegor had 30 points and 13 rebounds for Australia, while Vanloo and Emma Meesseman contributed 26 and 23 points respectively for Belgium.
My trip to Paris marked my third time covering the Olympics, following my assignment at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Photographing in a foreign country brought new challenges.
For this assignment, I brought four camera bodies and five lenses: a 600 millimeter prime for distant shots, a 400 mm prime for close-ups, an 85 mm prime for portraits, a versatile 70-200 mm zoom and a wide-angle 15-35 mm lens. These choices ensured I could capture a wide range of events and perspectives.
The opening ceremony of this Olympics was unlike any before, setting on the Seine River — a departure from traditional stadium settings. The cultural and artistic ambiance of Paris shone brightly, presenting a visual feast that posed a unique challenge to photograph in its entirety.
Upon arriving in Paris, navigating the city presented significant hurdles, from the complexities of the metro system to the language barrier. Despite these challenges, local volunteers and residents, though limited in English, offered invaluable assistance, helping us acclimate to the city's rhythm.
Throughout the event, Paris showcased its iconic landmarks ingeniously. The beach volleyball venue under the Eiffel Tower with its enchanting light show, the fencing events at the Grand Palais and archery competitions at the Esplanade des Invalides — all provided stunning backdrops that blended sport with the city's rich history.
One of the most memorable additions to the award ceremonies was the athletes' selfies on the podium. A standout moment was the mixed doubles table tennis ceremony, where athletes from China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea came together for a heartwarming photo, embodying the spirit of unity and sportsmanship.
Overall, covering the Paris Olympics was a uniquely enriching experience. Beyond capturing thrilling moments in sports, I witnessed Paris thriving with the Olympic spirit, as tourists from around the world flocked to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and the Arc de Triomphe.
The blend of athletic excellence and Parisian charm made this assignment unforgettable, leaving me with a deep appreciation for both the city and the Olympic ideals it embodied.
Duan Jichu contributed to this story.
weixiaohao@chinadaily.com.cn
PARIS - China's Olympic delegation at Paris 2024 achieved its best overseas performance since it comprehensively participated in a Summer Olympics abroad in 1984, said Zhou Jinqiang, deputy head of the delegation at a press conference held on Sunday.
China's sports delegation, consisting of 404 athletes competing in 232 events across 30 sports, clinched 40 gold, 27 silver and 24 bronze medals. The haul of gold medals surpassed the 39 golds won at the London Olympics, and a total of 60 athletes claimed golds, marking a new record for overseas Olympic participation, Zhou said.
"If there's one word to summarize the performance, it's 'breakthrough'," Zhou declared, highlighting that China had participated in more events, and won more gold medals after more intense competitions from a greater variety of events.
Zhou said that China's six traditional strongholds, including diving, table tennis and weightlifting, amassed 27 gold medals, accounting for 67.5 percent of the total and showcasing the nation's long-term efforts in scientific training.
He also recognized the rapid progress and huge potential seen in some sports in which China is a late starter, saying that the success could be attributed to club-based and market-oriented training approaches that identify and nurture young talents through targeted and personalized programs.
PARIS - China's Olympic delegation for Paris 2024 has successfully achieved the goal of "zero occurrence" of doping issues, as the Chinese government maintains "zero tolerance" towards doping, said a senior official with the Chinese delegation said on Sunday.
As of August 10, 151 athletes competing in 35 events from China's sports delegation had undergone 214 doping tests, a decrease from the 230 tests conducted during the Tokyo Olympics.
This reflects the international anti-doping organization's recognition of the clean nature of Chinese athletes and the effectiveness of China's anti-doping measures, Liu Guoyong, deputy head of the delegation, told a press conference.
Liu emphasized China's comprehensive efforts in establishing a "clean national team anti-doping ecosystem," saying that by focusing on cleanliness in various aspects such as the national teams, training facilities, support teams, food, drugs and nutrition, external support, social environment, competition processes and ethical standards, Chinese athletes' self-awareness and the national teams' anti-doping management have been enhanced to prevent doping risks.
"A standardized, systematic, and procedural anti-doping work system for training and competition has been established," he declared.
The Chinese government has reinforced the importance of winning gold medals for moral integrity, sportsmanship, and clean competition, maintaining a resolute stance of "zero tolerance" towards doping issues, Liu added.
Data show that in 2023, the China Anti-Doping Center conducted over 33,000 doping tests, exceeding 10 percent of the global total. The number of doping violations decreased from 92 cases in 2017 to 30 cases in 2023, with the violation rate dropping from 0.53 percent to 0.09 percent, according to Liu.
"We will also extend the successful anti-doping governance experience in competitive sports to youth sports, social sports, and professional sports fields to further promote the high-quality development of China's anti-doping work in all around and safeguard building China into a sporting powerhouse," Liu said.
China's delegation for Paris Olympics, consisting of 404 athletes competing in 232 events across 30 sports, clinched 40 gold, 27 silver and 24 bronze medals, marking its best overseas performance since it comprehensively participated in a Summer Olympics in 1984. Enditem
Motivated by the untapped potential and admirable work ethic of their Chinese disciples, a legion of foreign coaches have overcome challenges, both on and off the field, to help Team China shine brightly in Paris.
Despite dealing with cultural differences and a language barrier, as well as the fierce on-field competition, Team China's foreign coaches and their assistants have hit on a medal-winning formula with the country's hard-working Olympians, leading them to a series of historic "firsts", huge ranking leaps and long-awaited revivals at the Paris Games.
Guided by 42 foreign coaches and staff members from 17 countries and regions, the biggest international crew a Chinese Olympic delegation has ever hired, Team China has expanded its athletic prowess beyond its traditionally strong events to earn success in a wider range of once Western-dominated sports, as well as emerging disciplines.
The East-West collaboration almost delivered, arguably, what would have been the biggest team sport upset of the Games on Friday, when the Chinese women's field hockey team pushed the world No 1 Netherlands to its limit in a narrow final defeat.
Entering the knockout stage underrated and overlooked, the Chinese squad stunned two traditional powers — first, Australia in the quarters and then world No 3 Belgium in the semis — on its way to meeting the defending champion in a rematch of the Beijing 2008 final, where it also met the Dutch side in the Olympic gold-medal decider.
And China came so close — within just eight minutes of knocking the mighty Oranje off its golden throne — before the Dutch neutralized Team China's early goal with a 52nd-minute penalty corner. It retained its Olympic title in the subsequent shootout, which ended 3-1 in favor of the Dutch.
As the mastermind behind the David-vs-Goliath heroics, Team China's Aussie coach Alyson Annan, a two-time Olympic champion as a player with the Hockeyroos (1996,2000), attributed the Chinese program's rejuvenation to the country's sporting culture and her "magical" bond with her players.
"I think that China is a force in sports, (it has) an amazing sporting culture. I think that these athletes are incredible. They're devoted, they worked hard, just giving them a bit of confidence makes them great," said Annan, who steered the Netherlands to victory at Tokyo 2020, before switching sides to take over the Chinese squad in 2022.
"I didn't come in and change the culture. That wasn't my job. I came in and became part of the culture. Learning the language is one of the things, and then you become one. That part of it was exceptionally special."
After leading the Oranje to the gold in Tokyo, Annan, a strong character both on and off the field, surprisingly resigned the following year over a dispute with the Dutch association about team culture.
Yet, it seems, at least for now, that the Chinese culture and the players' commitment suit Annan's approach just fine, as highlighted by the significant rise of Team China's world ranking from No 14 when Annan took over in 2022, to sixth prior to the Paris Games.
"Coach Annan brought us advanced tactics, instilled self-confidence in each of us and has become good friends with all of the players. She's a big part of the reason for our improvement over the past two years," said team captain Ou Zixia.
Savoring the huge sense of accomplishment of leading China this far, Annan said she's open to a contract extension with the Chinese association for a longer run.
"This must be up near the top," said Annan, comparing the silver finish with Team China to her other career accolades.
"Because it's not just here, it's being away from my family and friends, it's traveling. It's what we have to give up to be here, so there's more to it. And this really makes it special," said the 51-year-old.
A wheel legend
Among many of China's historic first golds in Paris, the one landed by teen cyclist Deng Yawen in women's BMX freestyle park has been hailed as a game-changer for the sport, with an Olympic title secured at the discipline's second Games surely to draw more support and attention in the "kingdom of bicycles".
Much of that success is owed to Venezuelan BMX legend Daniel Dhers, who has been coaching the Chinese national team for the past year.
Known as the "Godfather of BMX", Dhers, as an active athlete himself, has been riding together with his Chinese students and passing on his nearly two decades of experience in the sport to China's talented young riders.
With the national program mainly drafting hard-working athletes from other sports since its inception in 2018, Dhers said that he had a good start to his tenure after accepting the coaching role, adding that it didn't take long for his lessons on technique, trick selection and the sport's culture to trickle through.
"The team already had a lot of good stuff, they already had a good progression. The Chinese athletes' work ethic is second to none," said the 39-year-old Tokyo silver medalist and five-time X-Games champion.
"They just didn't have direction. There's a million tricks and different things, so, where do you focus your energy?"
Dhers conjured up the magic by riding with the Chinese girls, challenging them with new tricks, and learning from them as well.
"He really helped us avoid making a lot of mistakes in training.
"With his vast experience, he was instrumental in our technical breakthroughs," Deng said of Dhers' guidance.
Artistic touch
As a crucial contributor to Team China's impressive medal haul in Paris, the surging Chinese artistic swimming squad announced its arrival as a new powerhouse in the sport of beauty and synchronization by claiming its first and second Olympic gold medals in Paris, taking full advantage of the absence of a Russian team that had won every gold in the discipline since Sydney 2000.
Standing beside head coach Zhang Xiaohuan, former Spanish national team mentor Anna Tarres was a driving force behind the Chinese team's outstanding improvement, particularly in its artistic expression, musical direction and routine variety.
Tarres' methods, which prioritize the relentless pursuit of perfection through repetition and hard work, were well received and embraced by Zhang's team, who gave credit to the Spanish expert's input.
"We have really made huge improvements in expressing more emotion, adding more variety and using the music better," Zhang said of the program since Tarres joined her as an assistant in 2021.
As the Chinese delegation returns home adorned with medals and glory, Tarres, Dhers and Annan, as well as numerous other foreign coaches, such as South Korea's Kwon Yong-hak, who led the Chinese women's archery squad to challenge his home country in the team final, and Italian race walking coach Patrizio Antonio Parcesepe, who helped Yang Jiayu finally bag her long overdue Olympic gold in the women's 20km, deserve equal applause with their Chinese counterparts.
Revered as the "Hexagon Warrior" by Japanese media, Ma Long has long been celebrated for his near-perfect mastery of six key attributes: power, speed, technique, serve, defense and experience.
On Friday, he clinched his sixth Olympic gold medal, a triumph that perfectly encapsulates his dominance in each of these areas, and seals his legendary status with a flawless final act on the Olympic stage.
Over the course of four Olympic Games, from London to Paris, Ma's journey has been one of transformation — evolving from sharp young paddler to an unshakable cornerstone of his team. At 35, he stands as a powerful symbol of how unwavering passion can defy the passage of time.
"My goal now is simply to keep playing the game I love. My only focus is to give everything I've got, without worrying about the finish line," Ma often says.
That finish line came, late last week, at the Paris Olympics, when Ma, alongside teammates Fan Zhendong and Wang Chuqin, triumphed over Sweden, clinching a fifth consecutive Olympic team title.
As the flag bearer for the Chinese delegation at the opening ceremony, Ma also made history by becoming the most decorated Chinese Olympian.
Following his victory, Ma shared on Weibo: "From London to Paris, it's been a long and challenging journey. It was tough, but perfect. Thank you to everyone who stood by my side and supported me."
The official Olympics website declared: "Ma Long is, without a doubt, the greatest table tennis player in history."
In the final, after securing victory, Ma marked the moment with a spontaneous 360-degree arm swing — a celebratory gesture that captured his last Olympic performance.
"That spin was instinctive; after the shot, I just naturally turned around," he explained.
Ma noted the electric atmosphere in the arena and how much he savored the moment.
"The support from the Chinese fans in the crowd was incredible. I believe this kind of energy helps both teams elevate their performance, and it definitely had a positive effect.
Global favorite
On Friday night, following the Chinese women's table tennis team's semifinal victory, each player received a pin from Japanese former table tennis star, now a TV reporter, Kasumi Ishikawa. Ishikawa also presented an additional pin to Chen Meng, asking her to deliver it to her favorite player, Ma.
After the Chinese women's team secured the title on Saturday, Ma made a surprise appearance in the mixed zone, where he and Ishikawa exchanged pins.
Ishikawa, a devoted fan of Ma, had previously expressed in interviews her admiration for him, highlighting her frequent viewership of his matches and her respect for his combination of strength and gentleness.
Universally acknowledged as the table tennis GOAT (greatest of all time), Ma's impressive presence and humble demeanor have garnered widespread admiration and respect from players around the world.
When Ma was initially left off the Chinese team's singles roster for the Paris Olympics in May, German table tennis star Dimitrij Ovtcharov posted a heartfelt message on Weibo, tagging Ma, expressing his sadness at the decision: "Life always has its regrets! I'm sorry to hear you won't be competing in singles at the Paris Olympics. You are a great rival! Here's to our youth and effort! Sending my best wishes! I still look forward to facing you in Paris!"
In the Olympic Village, Ma has become a popular figure, with athletes frequently seeking photos with him and sharing them on social media. His autograph is among the most coveted.
In the mixed zone during the Games, Ma has been a magnet for reporters from around the globe. Some use translation apps, while others enlist volunteers for assistance.
American journalists inquired about how Ma would introduce himself to an American audience, French reporters asked for his impression of the home team and Swedish reporters were curious about his views on China's rival for the gold.
A fitting farewell
At the press conference following his gold medal victory, Ma confirmed that Paris will be his final Olympics, though he has not yet decided whether he will retire.
"This gold medal is a perfect way to conclude my Olympic career, but you might still see me on the international stage in the future," he said. "I am extremely proud, fortunate, and honored."
Reflecting on his journey since the Tokyo Olympics, Ma admitted he never expected to compete on the Paris stage. "Over these three years, I've experienced significant growth both mentally and technically. The journey has been vastly different, but I'm delighted to have had the chance to participate in the Olympics once more."
He also offered sincere best wishes to his younger teammates, with whom he won gold in Paris. He expressed hope that Fan will represent China at the Los Angeles Olympics in four years.
Regarding Wang, who won the mixed doubles, but was eliminated in singles, Ma noted, "joy is only part of the story. There's still an opportunity to achieve a super 'Grand Slam'. No one has yet won titles in team, doubles, and mixed doubles events, and you're still young."
Ma hopes to inspire more young people to embrace table tennis, much like German paddler Timo Boll has, but as for a future in coaching, he remains undecided.
During the Olympics men's team competition, Ma, seated beside coach Wang Hao, frequently offered strategic advice to his teammates during timeouts. After a match against the Indian team, an opposing player even mistakenly assumed Ma was the coach and attempted to shake his hand. Perhaps subconsciously, Ma already carries the aura of one.
"Table tennis has been a part of my life for over 30 years, and I have a profound emotional connection to it," Ma said. "The sport has introduced me to the world, earned me respect and honor, and provided countless unforgettable moments. That's why I can't help but love it."
Ma's farewell to the table tennis stage began to take shape with the onset of the Paris Olympic cycle.
After securing the men's team gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, he remarked: "I had hoped to return for the next Asian Games, but this should be my last. Winning the championship is a perfect conclusion."
In February, Ma and his teammates triumphed at the ITTF World Team Championships in Busan, South Korea. Following their victory, he acknowledged that it was his ninth and final World Team Championships in a similar manner.
"This has been a memorable journey," he stated. "I'm grateful for the trust within the team and among my teammates. Ending my final World Championships match with a victory is a perfect ending."
Paris may not be Ma's final act in the sport he loves, but is a fitting and flawless end to his remarkable Olympic playing career.
liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn
A new swimming world record, a first singles tennis gold and a string of historic moments to remember — the Chinese delegation ended its Paris Olympic campaign on a high note with resounding success both on and off the field.
As the Olympic flame went out after an extraordinary show of human strength and endurance for two weeks, Team China's outstanding performance, highlighted by a record haul of 40 gold medals, the adorable nature of young athletes and their friendly exchanges with their foreign peers, was enshrined in the history of the Games in the French capital.
Bolstered by the whopping contribution of 27 gold medals from its six traditionally strong sports — diving, table tennis, badminton, gymnastics, shooting and weightlifting — the Chinese delegation finished with 40 gold medals and a total haul of 91 in Paris, surpassing its previous record at the London Games in 2012 to achieve the nation's best outcome in gold medal tally at any overseas edition of the Summer Olympics.
At Beijing 2008, it won 48 gold medals and 100 overall.
On Sunday, the United States edged past China to finish on top of the Paris Olympics chart with a total medal haul of 126, including 40 golds.
The first-ever clean sweep of all eight gold medals up for grabs in the Olympic diving discipline by China's "dream team" and the world-conquering Chinese table tennis squad's complete collection of all five titles have only cemented the nation's stranglehold on these sports.
More encouraging, a series of major breakthroughs — such as China's first tennis singles Olympic gold, won by women's ace Zheng Qinwen, swimming prodigy Pan Zhanle's world record-breaking win in the men's 100m freestyle and teen cyclist Deng Yawen's trailblazing golden finish in BMX freestyle park — have all heralded China's strong foray into Western-dominated sports with much balanced athletic prowess.
Zhou Jinqiang, vice-president of the Chinese delegation, said on Sunday at a news conference in Paris that the overall performance at the Games could be summed up with one word-"breakthrough".
"We reached new heights in terms of the total number of gold medals won (at an overseas edition) and the number of events that we first won medals in. We also proved that our athletic strength has been significantly expanded to more sports," said Zhou.
Zhou added that the Chinese delegation has successfully completed its mission and realized its goals.
Sun Yingsha, world No 1 in women's table tennis, said that China's overall prosperity and strength have served as a proud source of motivation for all her fellow Olympians.
"It's really an honor, and we all played confidently, knowing that a strong home country is supporting us," Sun said, after helping her squad beat Japan 3-0 in the women's team final on Saturday to secure China's 300th gold medal at the Summer Olympics since the Chinese delegation's debut at Los Angeles 1984.
By putting their colorful and vibrant images on full display at the pinnacle of their careers, China's modern-day Olympians have broken the stereotypes portrayed by Western media about their hard-working but sometimes reticent predecessors decades ago, representing a more open and confident generation of athletes who no longer hide their light under a bushel.
In addition, being able to speak directly to the international audiences in fluent English has certainly helped this generation more.
Chen Yiwen, who won two diving gold medals, in individual 3m springboard and the synchronized event with partner Chang Yani, has broken the language barrier and bonded closely with some of her formidable foreign rivals, while also exuding confidence during her international media interviews in English.
Chen's adorable selfies with teammate Chang and Australian rival Maddison Keeney, the silver medalist in 3m individual, have gone viral on social media platforms at home and abroad, earning thousands of likes for the "true embodiment of Olympic value".
Speaking about the friendship with her Chinese peers, Keeney said: "I feel like these girls, they're like my sisters. I'm just really lucky to be able to have a positive competitive relationship with them. No matter what happens on the board, it doesn't affect our relationships outside."
sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn
As Chinese athletes delivered a series of stunning performances at the Paris Olympics this past weekend, resulting in a record haul of medals, three key words and phrases — dominance, breakthroughs and a perfect finish — prevailed in conversations across social media platforms.
On Sunday evening at South Paris Arena, Li Wenwen won the women's+ 81 — kilogram weightlifting event, securing the fifth gold for the Chinese weightlifting team at this Olympics. Her victory earned China its 40th gold at the Paris Games, nicely capping the delegation's medal quest.
Saturday evening saw the perfect finish for China's table tennis and diving "dream teams", which have won all 13 titles up for grabs in the two disciplines.
The table tennis competition wrapped up with China defeating Japan 3-0 in the women's team final, securing its fifth consecutive Olympic championship in the event and also winning China its fifth table tennis title at this edition of the Games.
"We're thrilled to have won today's gold medal. With only three years of preparation since the Tokyo Games, we've made significant progress," said Sun Yingsha, who claimed two gold medals and one silver in Paris.
In the men's 10-meter platform diving final, defending champion Cao Yuan clinched gold, helping China achieve its clean sweep of all eight diving titles at the Games. This marked Cao's fourth Olympic appearance, earning him a career total of four gold medals, one silver and one bronze from London 2012 to Paris 2024.
Since the Chinese diving team debuted at the Los Angeles Games in 1984, it has consistently won gold medals, but achieved a clean sweep for the first time in Paris.
Also on Saturday, twins Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi clinched gold in the duet event of artistic swimming with a total score of 566.4783, marking China's first Olympic victory in a discipline that demands grace, poise, incredible lung power and flawless acrobatic skills.
Earlier, the sisters also contributed to China's gold medal in the artistic swimming team event.
The boxing events ended on Saturday, with China winning three gold medals and two silver medals in the 13 weight divisions.
In the women's 75kg boxing final at Roland Garros, Li Qian of China secured gold. She had won bronze in this weight class at Rio 2016 and silver at Tokyo 2020.
In men's weightlifting, Liu Huanhua won gold in the 102kg category in his Olympic debut, marking China's first gold in the men's heavyweight division.
In rhythmic gymnastics on Saturday, the Chinese team secured gold in the group all-around final with a total score of 69.80, giving China its first Olympic gold medal in the sport.
liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn
PARIS -- As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games came to a close, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach expressed his overwhelming satisfaction with the event, lauding it as a "sensational" and historic celebration of sport.
Reflecting on the Games, Bach emphasized how the event lived up to and even surpassed the IOC's ambitious Olympic Agenda, which envisions Games centered on athletes, inclusivity, sustainability and innovation.
"These have been great Games. I can say sensational games," Bach stated, noting that the Paris Games embodied the IOC's vision by offering a platform that was "more inclusive, more sustainable, more urban, younger, and with full gender parity."
Bach praised the integration of French culture, innovation and creativity, which he said inspired people across France and the world. He highlighted how these elements "brought the Olympic Agenda to life," surpassing his already high expectations.
The Paris Games also marked the debut of several new sports, including breakdancing and kiteboarding, which Bach said have added significantly to the attraction of the Olympics, particularly among younger audiences.
"These new sports are appealing not only to the young generation but to everyone," he said, expressing his personal excitement for these additions, despite humorously acknowledging that he is not part of the younger demographic.
The success of the Champions Park in Paris, where athletes and fans gathered to celebrate victories, was another highlight for Bach.
He recalled how, during his own time as an athlete, returning home to his small town was akin to having a Champions Park. Bach added hopes that future Olympic organizers, particularly those in Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032, would consider adopting this initiative.
A key takeaway from the Paris Games was the unity displayed among athletes from the over 200 national and regional Olympic Committees, including the IOC Refugee Team.
Bach noted that athletes from countries and regions in conflict showed remarkable sportsmanship and camaraderie in the Olympic Village, sharing meals and celebrating together without incident.
"This is Olympic spirit at its best," Bach said, commending the athletes for resisting external pressures to display aggression and instead choosing to live in peace and mutual respect.
The Games also witnessed historic victories, such as Botswana's Letsile Tebogo becoming the first African to win the men's 200m race, and Julien Alfred taking Saint Lucia's first ever Olympic medal of any color by winning the women's 100m event.
Bach emphasized the importance of such achievements for the IOC, which is committed to global solidarity and supporting athletes from less privileged nations through Olympic Solidarity programs.
"These victories reaffirm that we are on the right track," said Bach, adding that the close competitions and diverse medal winners showcased the effectiveness of these programs in leveling the playing field.
As Paris prepares to hand over the Olympic torch to Los Angeles for the 2028 Games, Bach expressed confidence in the success of the next edition.
He emphasized that each Olympic Games must be authentic and reflective of its host city's culture. "If LA tries to copy the Eiffel Tower, it would be a disaster," he quipped, urging the organizers to present the Games in line with California's unique cultural identity while embracing global diversity.
In a significant announcement, Bach confirmed that he will not seek an additional term as IOC President, despite pressure from some members to continue. He cited his belief in good governance and the need for new leadership to navigate the challenges ahead, particularly in the digital arena. "New times require new leaders," he stated.
PARIS - Chinese weightlifter Li Wenwen claimed the women's +81kg title on the last day of the Paris Olympics on Sunday in the South Paris Arena.
It marks China's 40th gold medal in Paris, the country's best result at an overseas Olympic Games.
The Tokyo Olympic champion lifted 136kg in the snatch and 173kg in the clean and jerk, both ranking first, achieving a total of 309kg.
South Korea's Park Hye-jeong won the silver medal with 299kg, followed by bronze medalist Emily Campbell of Britain with 288kg.
Weightlifter Li Fabin and hockey player Ou Zixia were named as China's flagbearers for Paris 2024 closing ceremony, according to Chinanews.com.
PARIS -- The US defeated France 98-87 on Saturday to win the men's basketball gold medals for the fifth consecutive time at the Paris Olympic Games here.
Stephen Curry scored 24 points, all from the eight three-pointers when he shot 8-out-of-10, to lead the US to the top podium, again.
Young talent Victor Wembanyama scored 26 points and grabbed seven rebounds for France, who won the Olympic silver medals for the second time in a row.
The US managed a slim 20-15 lead in the first quarter before France used a 10-4 run to regain the lead by 25-24.
Devin Booker's 2+1 gave the US a 46-36 lead towards the end of the first half and the US led 49-41 to return to the locker room.
France, who had lost to the US 87-82 in the Tokyo 2020 final, could not stop Curry when he made his fourth 3-pointer to give the US a 61-47 lead midway in the third quarter.
Trailing 72-66 to enter the last quarter, France needed seven minutes playing-time to narrow the gap to 82-79, but Curry's four 3-pointers in a row silenced the crowds again and ensured the victory.
In the bronze medal finals, Serbia beat world champions Germany 93-83 thanks to Nikola Jokic's 19 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists performance.
Serbia had a solid lead on 30-21 in the first quarter, and extended it to a double-digit gap by 37-23. Germany cut the deficit under 10 points several times but never led in the game.
Vasilije Micic also scored 19 points for Serbia when six Serbians scored at least 10 points. Franz Wagner had 18 and his brother Moritz Wagner added 16.
Serbia had taken the silver medal at Rio 2016, and did not qualify for the Tokyo 2020 three years ago.
PARIS -- International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach announced on Saturday that he will not seek to take charge of the organization for a third term.
"As a result of deep deliberations and extensive discussions, also with my family, I have come to the conclusion that I should not have my mandate extended beyond the term limit stipulated by the Olympic Charter," Bach told IOC members at the closing of the 142nd IOC Session in the French capital.
"In order to safeguard the credibility of the IOC we all, and in particular I, as your president, have to respect the high standards of good governance which we have set for ourselves.
"I was one of the promoters and authors of such a term limit at the time of the revision of the Olympic Charter. Until today I strongly believe that after 12 years in the office as IOC president, our organization is best served with a change in the leadership."
Bach was elected in 2013 for an eight-year term and earned another four-year term in 2021. His 12-year presidency was to expire next year.
"New times are calling for new leaders," said the 70-year-old German.
Bach said that he would "ask the Executive Board to schedule the election for March 2025, and the beginning of the mandate of the new President for 24 June 2025."
This is in order to "ensure a smooth transition, to hand over the steering wheel of our ship to my best possible successor, whom you will choose," he added.
The next IOC Session is scheduled to take place from March 18 to 21 in 2025 in Athens, Greece.
So far, no individuals have publicly expressed an intention to run for the presidency.
PARIS -- China's Li Qian claimed the boxing women's 75kg gold after defeating Atheyna Bylon of Panama 4-1 in the final at the Paris Olympics on Saturday.
With this victory, Chinese boxers have secured a total of three gold and two silver medals at Paris 2024, placing them at the top of the boxing medal standings and second in the event's gold medal tally.
Both Li and Bylon, three-time Olympians, fought with determination. But it was Li, the Tokyo Olympic silver medalist, who maintained a clear advantage throughout all three rounds, ultimately winning with a 4-0 decision.
Caitlin Parker of Australia and Cindy Winner Djankeu Ngamba of the Olympic Refugee Team claimed the bronze medals.
China's Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi win duet free artistic swimming gold at Paris Olympics.
PARIS -- China's women's table tennis team retained their Olympic title at the Paris 2024 Games after overwhelming Japan 3-0 in the final on Saturday.
This victory not only secured China's 37th gold medal of these Games but also marked a historic milestone - the country's 300th gold in Summer Olympic history.
With its star trio of Sun Yingsha, Chen Meng and Wang Manyu, China triumphed after a sequence of one doubles and two singles matches against Japan's Hina Hayata, Miwa Harimoto and Miu Hirano, winning 3-2, 3-0 and 3-1, respectively.
Earlier in the day, South Korea beat Germany to take bronze.
The women's team gold is China's fifth consecutive Olympic title in this category since it was introduced at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Having already secured gold in mixed doubles, men's and women's singles, and the men's team event, China has now swept all five table tennis golds at the Paris Olympics.
PARIS -- Cao Yuan successfully defended his Olympic title in the men's 10m platform event on Saturday as China completed a clean sweep of all eight diving gold medals at the Paris Olympics.
Cao, 29, secured his fourth Olympic gold with an impressive 547.5 points, becoming the first diver since American legend Greg Louganis at the 1988 Seoul Olympics to defend gold in the men's 10m platform.
"I am really excited," Cao said after the achievement. "I made great efforts to recover, to think and to be in a good shape in Paris."
Japanese teenager Rikuto Tamai failed to nail his fifth dive but still managed to claim the silver medal with a score of 507.65 after receiving the highest score of 99 points in the final from a sensational last dive.
Britain's Noah Williams took the bronze with 497.35 points while the reigning world champion Yang Hao of China, far from his best, finished last among the 12 divers in the final.
"I was just focusing on my own dives during the competition. Other athletes could not affect me. I won this event at the Tokyo Olympics, so I am confident that I have the ability to win it again," Cao noted.
As a four-time Olympian, Cao said he didn't think about the 2028 Games, but the 17-year-old Tamai has set his target on the Olympic gold at the next Games.
"My goal is to reach the gold medal, because I believe I am in that position," Tamai said after becoming Japan's first-ever Olympic medalist in diving.
Williams, who grabbed silver from the synchronized event, said he could expect a lot of pressure for China's diving team to finally win all eight diving gold medals at a single Olympics.
"I think they just train harder and better than anyone else. The facilities they have are amazing. When we go to China for competitions, like the pools, they have incredible facilities, the training environment as well," said Williams.
"For me, I get to train obviously with Tom Daley, and when I train with him, that pushes me to be better. But for them, they have multiple world champions, multiple Olympic champions. For as far as I can see in the future, they will be winning golds," he added.
PARIS -- Chinese rhythmic gymnasts created history to win the country's first Olympic group all-around gold medal in Paris on Saturday.
China scored a total of 69.800 points in the two rotations, 36.950 in five hoops and 32.850 in three ribbons plus two balls during the group all-around final at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena, securing the first place among eight teams.
Israel won the silver in 68.850 while Italy took bronze with 68.100.
During the Paris Olympics, the Chinese Olympic Committee staged its "An Ode to China's Sporting Spirit" exhibition in Paris under the theme of "Vigor and Sportsmanship." At the Bastille Design Center, the exhibition displayed authentic Chinese sporting cultural relics and Olympic exhibits, such as gold medals and torches. At its heart is a huge Chinese dragon kite — a symbol of strength and vigor — marking the current Year of the Dragon. A global audience has already flocked to see the exhibition, and now you can see it online. To take a look, watch the video!
