As we approach the conclusion of the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, Chinese athletes are continuing a winning streak and creating history along the way. As of publication, Team China sits on top of the leaderboard for medals, with 63 gold, 47 silver, and 27 bronze medals, adding up to an impressive total of 137 medals. In comparison, China’s closest competitor, the United Kingdom, has 33 golds and a total of 75 medals.
Here are a few highlights:
In the long jump T11, blind jumper Di Dongdong from Liaoning stood ahead of the sand pit with his assistant positioned at the jumping board. “Come, come, come…” (来、来、来) the assistant signalled, as Di came sprinting down the runway and hurled his entire body into the sand pit. Di not only won gold in the event but broke a 10-year-old world record.
Chinese swimmers Yuan Weiyi, Guo Jincheng, and Wang Lichao swept the podium in men’s 50 m backstroke S5. Seeded as the top three, the Chinese swimmers started in the most favorable lanes next to each other. As all three of them do not have arms, they use a device held by their teeth on the starting block and leap backwards into the water, depending entirely on the power of their lower bodies. Yuan pulled away from the pack and earned his gold by slamming his head into the wall.
Guo later won silver in men’s 100 m freestyle S5, setting a new Asian record. Netizens online dubbed the trio as “armless flying fish” for their performances in the water.
In track and field, runner Shi Yiting won a double in both the women’s 100 m T36 and 200 m T36, breaking the world record in the 200 m event. After the race, Shi collapsed on the track in utter exhaustion. Silver medallist Danielle Aitchison of New Zealand came up to her and then both athletes stood in a long embrace. Shi said the win felt so surreal that afterwards she could only cling onto her opponent’s hug.
Shi was a breakout star at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, and also picked up two golds in Tokyo. Her iconic hug quickly went viral online, with Chinese netizens exclaiming that friendship comes first and competition comes second (友谊第一、比赛第二).
With the Paralympic Games concluding on Sunday, fans can anticipate a few more days filled with athleticism, perseverance, and heartwarming moments of sportsmanship in Paris.
Banner image of Di Dongdong via Yangshi Xinwen.
