20 | Tuesday, August 10, 2021 HONG KONG EDITION | DAILY SPORTS

olympics

Emotional farewell Putting it in perspective Idol encounter Eight-time Olympian Oksana Chusovitina received a stand- Shot putters Gong Lijiao and have battled it Teenager Guan Chenchen won China’s third artistic gymnas- ing ovation as she walked out of the gymnastics arena in her out at major championships for years. China’s Gong finally tics gold by beating her idol, , in the women’s last Games in Tokyo. “I cried tears of happiness because so got her hands on Olympic gold in Tokyo, with New Zealand’s , while her teammate Tang Xijing won silver. many people have supported me for a long time,” she said. two-time champion Adams this time having to settle for For Guan, simply participating in the Olympics was a dream Chusovitina’s Olympic journey began in 1992, competing for bronze. After Gong stepped down from the podium, Adams come true. “Actually, Biles has been my role model. I did not the Unified Team of the former Soviet Union. She has also gave the 32-year-old a big hug, and later paid a glowing trib- expect to win over her in my Olympic debut in Tokyo,” said represented and her native Uzbekistan. When ute to her longtime rival. “I have competed against Lijiao at the 16-year-old. Biles and her US teammate Sunisa Lee made Chusovitina’s 3-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia many, many Games, she’s a great competitor,” said Adams. “I a point of approaching Guan to congratulate the young Chi- in 2002, she sold her possessions and used her prize money think we are competitors but also friends. I also have a lot of nese star on her triumph. Lee later posted a photo of herself to pay for his life-saving treatment. At the age of 46, Chusov- respect for Lijiao, and today she has produced an amazing and Guan on social media, accompanied by the message: itina competed against gymnasts her son’s age in Tokyo. performance and done China proud.” “I’m so proud.” Friendship first, competition second

ven amid the intensity of battle on the world’s biggest stage, the Olympic spirit was alive and well in Tokyo. Perhaps it was because the shadow of the pandemic hung over the Games that athletes’ sportsman- ship, goodwill and consideration for their fellow competitors at times seemed to eclipse the fight for medals and glory. Chinese athletes contributed their fair share of touching moments, as ever conducting themselves with dignity and decorum, but also letting their emotional guard down on occasion to show their caring sides, even with the stakes so high. Team China athletes were also on the receiving end of E many heartwarming gestures from their foreign rivals, some of whom put aside the pain of defeat to pay tribute to their opponents. As we say in China: “Friendship first, competition second.”

Forever friends Chinese table tennis star Share the joy Liu Shiwen endured a In the men’s high jump final, Tokyo received a difficult Olympics in welcome dose of Olympic spirit when Mutaz Tokyo. The 2016 Rio Barshim of Qatar and ’s Gianmarco Tam- champion missed out on beri put friendship before individual glory. The gold in the mixed dou- two were tied after their final leaps and were bles final, and then was offered the chance of a jump-off to decide the forced to quit the Games winner at a spectator-free Olympic Stadium, due to an elbow injury. before Barshim asked: “Can we have two The 30-year-old, though, golds?” The answer was yes and the jumpers — was inundated with messages of encourage- friends who both overcame injury setbacks to ment from fans and friends. Among those offer- make the Games — shared top spot on the ing support was retired Japanese paddler Ai Olympic podium. Tamberi was overcome with Fukuhara, who has trained with and competed emotion, writhing around on the track before against Liu since they were kids. “Due to the Encouraging embrace congratulating compatriot Lamont Marcell pandemic, I’m now unable to come to you. But China’s Zhang Yufei delivered one of the most touching moments from the swimming program in Tokyo Jacobs on his shock win in the 100 meters. after all this is over, I will for sure visit you. We when she showed her caring side by warmly hugging Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, who returned to can eat barbecue skewers together and let’s see competition last August after recovering from leukemia. Ikee, who was discharged from hospital in photos by AP, AFP and REUTERS who the taller one is now,” Fukuhara said in a December 2019 after going through 10 months of treatment, took part in her second after video message to her longtime friend. “I think competing in seven events at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Ikee was regarded as a major future star of the sport now I’m taller than you, but I must be much after winning six gold medals at the 2018 . However, her illness slowed her progress and she heavier. Right now what you need to do is was unable to finish on the podium in Tokyo. Zhang waited patiently for Ikee to finish a TV interview adjust your mindset. Just keep trying and I will before embracing her and saying she hoped she could come back strongly at next year’s Asian Games in always support you.” Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. “See you next year,” said Zhang as she held Ikee in her arms.

Dignified Dimitrij Words of comfort German table tennis star Dimitrij Ovtcharov once again saw his Olympic gold-medal dream shattered In badminton, Chinese pair Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan put aside the disappointment of losing the by Chinese paddlers in Tokyo. But that didn’t affect his admiration for his rivals, on or off the table. “I women’s doubles final when they came forward to comfort ’s gold-medal winner Greysia want to convey my highest congratulations and respect to Team China, given their outstanding per- Polii, who could not help but cry after thinking of her mother, who died in 2015. The 34-year-old Polii formances and remarkable achievements in the sport,” Ovtcharov wrote on Weibo in Chinese after win- dedicated victory to her late mom, Siti Jauhar, saying it was a gift to the woman who had inspired her to ning the men’s team silver on Friday, when China claimed gold. Chinese Table Tennis Association become a professional player. She and her playing partner, Apriyani Rahayu, kneeled down on the president Liu Guoliang gave an insight into the good relationship between the German and the Chinese ground and burst into tears after their triumph in the final, with the Chinese duo showing their respect players. Liu revealed that Ovtcharov sent a video of himself playing against his wife, who was wearing and sportsmanship to help their Indonesian rivals back on their feet and saying: “Don’t cry. You are the Ma Long’s jersey, with the German joking that he was trying to find a way to beat the Olympic champion. winners. Be happy.”