China Olympic champions tell Macau athletes to stay calm under pressure

Michael Shum

Double gold medalist at the Paris Olympics and "diving queen" Quan Hongchan encouraged Macau athletes to "stay calm" during setbacks, as she and other national Olympians shared strategies for coping with injuries, pressure and challenges.

On the second day of their visit to the Olympic Sports Center in Taipa, Quan was asked how she manages her emotions when struggling with a new diving routine.She emphasized the importance of communication: "The first thing we should do is not to panic. We should talk to our coach and calmly address the issue."

Veteran table tennis player Ma Long, a four-time Olympian, revealed that his success stems from his deep passion for the sport.

"I love this sport so much. When you find a career that you are truly passionate about, you will always strive to give your best," Ma said.

Swimmer Pan Zhanle, who recently broke his own world record in the 100 meters freestyle in Paris, expressed his ambition to achieve even greater heights.

"I want to elevate the 100 meters freestyle race to a new level and discover the limits of human potential in this event," he said.

He also mentioned his desire to attend the Macau Grand Prix one day, saying: "I want to watch it; the competition is the fastest, and I consider myself the quickest."

Following the sharing session, the athletes enjoyed a demonstration of gymnastics routines from Macau's team.

Paris Olympic gold medalists in the mixed doubles table tennis, Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, conducted a training session with local teenage paddlers Chan Chi-in and Seak Hui-li, followed by sessions from singles gold medalists Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng.

Later, they attended a gala dinner organized by the Macau government before visiting social service organizations and engaging with citizens in the gaming hub.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong Olympians participated in a celebration parade and homecoming ceremony at Disneyland, inspiring local teenagers to pursue their dreams.Star shuttler Tse Ying-suet said: "My love for badminton has driven me forward all these years. It's not just hope that motivates me - it's perseverance that reveals hope."

Gymnast Shek Wai-hung added: "Even if I lose 99 times, I will still chase success on the 100th attempt."

And sports commissioner Sam Wong Tak-sum praised the athletes' performances in Paris as "invigorating," encouraging all sportsmen to emulate their determination, resilience and perseverance.

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com