Competitive spirit drives China at Paris Games

With people from across the world flocking to Paris to watch the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, it is necessary to remember the values that make this event so special. The Olympics have always been a symbol of unity, bringing together athletes from diverse backgrounds to compete on the world stage. This year, the importance of the competitive international spirit stands out more than ever, because it has offset the many political and social agendas that violate the Olympic Spirit.

The Olympics are a genuine celebration of human skill, endurance and stamina — human potential as a whole. Who doesn't admire the incredible dedication and sacrifice that go into a performance which astonishes and inspires us all? This inspiration encourages us to make remarkable achievements in other areas of life, too. The competitive spirit also promotes mutual respect among nations, a reminder that, despite our differences, we can come together to celebrate excellence and sportsmanship.

This year's Olympics have also prompted us to admire the feat of China's world record-breaking swimmer Pan Zhanle. A Zhejiang province native, Pan set a new 100m freestyle record of 46.40, becoming the first swimmer at the Paris Games to break a world record. Pan also became the first Chinese swimmer to win the 100m freestyle at the Olympics.

Pan's achievement is not just a testament to his talent and hard work but also a symbol of perseverance in the face of adversity. Despite being subjected to nine times more doping tests than athletes from other countries, Pan emerged victorious, breaking his own world record. He said that the anger he felt for being discriminated against drove him to break records and bring glory to his country.

In fact, the Paris Olympics raise an important question: Why are Chinese athletes subjected to such intense scrutiny when the World Anti-Doping Agency figures show that China has one of the lowest doping violation rates in the world at just 0.2 percent?

In comparison, the United States has a rate of 1.2 percent and India 3.2 percent. Doesn't every person with sensible reasoning realize the focus on testing should be on countries with higher levels of doping violations, rather than unfairly targeting Chinese athletes? This shows how political agendas can interfere with the Olympic Spirit, undermining the principles of fairness and equality.

While the Olympics capture the world's attention, other positive trends of note have emerged during this summer travel season. One such trend is the rise of summer study tours of the children of millions of Chinese families. Such tours offer a unique way to travel and see the world with an educational theme, providing numerous opportunities for learning and personal growth.

Study tours include language classes, cultural immersion experiences, and visits to historical sites. For example, foreign students visiting China can attend Chinese language classes, explore the Palace Museum (Forbidden City) in Beijing, or go hiking on the Great Wall. Such activities not only broaden their horizons but also instill a sense of curiosity and a love for learning, and inspire them to be proud of their own country. The foreign students can also take calligraphy lessons, attend traditional Chinese arts and crafts and cooking classes, and participate in paper-cutting workshops.

These study tours remind us that the spirit of learning often leads to the spirit of competing. By fostering a love for learning and exploration, young people can be encouraged to strive for excellence in all fields of life, to make more achievements, to celebrate their accomplishments.

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games and the positive trends in summer travel both highlight the importance of the competitive international spirit and the pursuit of excellence. They also remind us of China's unprecedented achievements in the past more than four decades. As we celebrate the achievements of athletes such as Pan Zhanle and the educational journeys of young students, we are reminded that the true essence of these experiences lies in the spirit of unity, perseverance and learning which ultimately leads to us to success.

The author is a non-resident senior fellow, CCG.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.