On October 17th, during an interview, Zhou Yaning, the champion of synchronized swimming at the Paris Olympics, emphasized, “This is the power of passion. Because of our love for the sport, we strive hard, we persevere, and we shine.”
Zhou was speaking at the “Chinese Sports Spirit Grand Lecture” held at Huaqiao City Primary School in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Alongside her mentor, Coach He Xiaochu, Zhou shared the inspiring tales behind their journey to securing gold medals.
Winning the championship with her teammates at the Paris Olympics represents a significant achievement for Zhou, a fulfillment of her youth. In the lecture, she reflected on the countless hours of hard work and the resilience required to overcome countless setbacks.
“Dealing with injuries like fractured fingers, relying on painkillers, and wrapping my hand so tightly that I couldn’t feel the pain anymore was part of my training challenges,” Zhou revealed. The new rules introduced during the Olympic cycle added to their hurdles, yet she noted that team collaboration, encouragement from her coach, and the support of the nation provided her team with immense confidence and strength.
Coach He Xiaochu also spoke during the event, sharing her transition from athlete to coach. “This isn’t just a change of title; it’s about carrying an important mission to guide and nurture the next generation,” she said. He encouraged the students to draw strength and courage from sports, facing challenges head-on and pushing forward. “Only through brave struggle and hard work can the seeds of our dreams blossom into radiant flowers.”
In the exciting “Champion Sports Class” that followed, Zhou took on the role of a special “gym teacher,” leading the students in a game of land curling. They began with warm-up exercises to get their bodies moving before splitting into two teams for a friendly competition.
The “Chinese Sports Spirit Grand Lecture” and the “Champion Sports Class” in Sichuan were organized by the Publicity Department of the General Administration of Sport of China and the Sichuan Provincial Sports Bureau, with the Chinese Sports Media Corporation taking the lead in conducting the events.
