STARTING from a waterborne ceremony on the River Seine, the Olympic story in the French capital, featuring the athletes’ excellent performance and heartfelt moments beyond the Games, flows into people’s mind to further interpret the motto of “Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together.”

As the Paris Olympics concluded on Sunday, the highlights in the past two weeks will definitely be cherished in memory.

Respect

For the ninth time, the 24-year-old Armand Duplantis of Sweden refreshed the pole vault world record, who cleared 6.25m in his third and final attempt to retain the Olympic title, adding one centimeter to his previous best.

“What can I say? I just broke a world record at the Olympics, the biggest possible stage for a pole vaulter, which is my biggest dream since a kid,” said Duplantis. “I haven’t processed how fantastic that moment was. The crowd was going crazy. I just tried to channel the energy everybody was giving me, and it worked out.”

Pole vault great Sergei Bubka of Ukraine, 60, who improved the world record from 5.83m to 6.14m in his career, noted during the Games, “He [Duplantis] is a great athlete. It is a fantastic moment for the sport, for the success of the Olympics, and particularly for his family. It is a historical result. I believe he can keep doing it.”

The basketball court saw American stars shine in Paris, as the victory of their men’s team may be the last dance of legendary LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant all together on the Olympic stage. They received loud cheers and respect from the audience and other players in every single match with fascinating shows.

At La Defense Arena, China’s Pan Zhanle, who refreshed his own 100m freestyle world record in 46.40 seconds at Paris 2024, led the team to clinch the men’s 4x100m medley relay gold, breaking the United States’ run of 10 successive victories in this event dating back to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

The American quartet congratulated on China’s victory in the men’s 4x100m medley relay after the race, and the swimmers from China, the U.S. and France took a group photo together on the podium.

Inspiration

Chinese tennis sensation Zheng Qinwen lay down on the red clay at Roland Garros to enjoy her resounding victory, becoming the first Asian player to claim the women’s singles gold at the Olympics. The triumph also marked China’s best result in the Olympic tennis women’s singles event since two-time Grand Slam winner Li Na reached the last four at Beijing 2008.

When Li was crowned in the Australia Open 10 years ago, Zheng was in front of the television to witness the historic moment, and now, the Olympic champion has already become a model for more youth. “I am really delighted to seize the gold, as I always want to be a legend player to inspire more children to play tennis and pursue their dreams.”

Holding Denmark’s national flag over his head, Viktor Axelsen celebrated his victory after retaining the Olympics men’s badminton singles title in Paris. “When Lin Dan won his second Olympic title, I couldn’t imagine such a thing happening to me. His title defense gave me motivation,” Axelsen said after repeating the feat of Chinese badminton player Lin, who dominated the event at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation that gained independence in 2011, created its basketball history by seizing victory over Puerto Rico 90-79 in their Olympic debut, which was only the second win for African men’s basketball at the Olympics since 1996. Despite their domestic conflict, poverty and underdeveloped infrastructure, the basketball players of South Sudan demonstrated unity, passion and hope.

Inheritance

Chinese shooters pocketed five gold, two silver and three bronze medals at Paris 2024, standing atop the sport’s medal table to achieve their best record at an Olympics, which surpassed that of Beijing 2008, where they collected five golds, two silvers and one bronze.

Xu Haifeng triumphed in the men’s free pistol event at Los Angeles 1984 to claim China’s first ever Olympic gold. Forty years later, Chinese teenage shooters Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao clinched the first gold medal in Paris in the mixed 10m air rifle event, while the 34-year-old Li Yuehong finally clinched his maiden gold at his third Olympics.

“We shouldn’t obsess over beating others; instead, we should focus on overcoming ourselves. Shooting has also taught me to stay humble and calm when facing problems or difficulties,” said Li.

Powerhouse China achieved gold sweep in table tennis and diving in Paris. Top-seeded pair Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha secured China’s first Olympic table tennis mixed doubles gold, and Fan Zhendong took the men’s singles gold, becoming the 10th Chinese player to achieve a Grand Slam.

After the victory, the 27-year-old Fan turned towards his coach Wang Hao and the roaring spectators, crossing his arms in a cool pose. The Olympic champion Wang leaped over the barriers to embrace Fan and plant a jubilant kiss on his head.

Chinese diver Quan Hongchan, 17, shed tears as retaining her 10m platform title and hugged her coach Chen Ruolin, a former Olympic champion. “I overcame a lot of things. If I list all of them, we will never finish. I am very happy to have this gold,” Quan said.

For the hosts France, Leon Marchand was a home hero to be the first Frenchman to win four golds at a single summer or winter Olympic Games.

“You never forget a moment like that,” Marchand said. “It was incredible, it was magical.”(Xinhua)