(ECNS) -- With the whole world focused on the Paris Olympics, sport has become a universal language and a significant tool for cross-regional and cross-cultural communication.
In the latest W.E. Talk, Deng Yaping, Olympic champion in table tennis and Oksana Chusovitina, Olympic champion in gymnastics, were invited to interpret the role sport has played in building a bridge of unity.
Chusovitina, eight-time Olympian, shared her own story of making friends and fans from all over the world through the Olympic stage. Deng, China's first women's table tennis Grand Slam winner said that out of their love for Chinese athletes, audiences around the world have been more motivated to learn about China’s history and culture. The two legendary athletes agreed that sport is an important means of cross-cultural communication. Outstanding athletes play a very important role in international communication while their teams serve as ambassadors of culture.
Here's an excerpt of the dialogue:
China News Network: What are some of the most unforgettable moments in your career? How do you view the role of outstanding athletes in sports inheritance?
Chusovitina: The most unforgettable moment in my life is when I was competing in the Beijing Olympics, I got the silver medal, but what is more important is when I called back home in Germany, I was told that my son had completely recovered. As a mother, I think this is my most unforgettable moment. It has nothing to do with the medal but the health of my son, which I care about the most.
We have to prove to young athletes that first and foremost, sports is conducive to our health. Moreover, it is a channel of friendship among people around the world. So we must hold our heads high and hush the hardships up. The reason is that every athlete knows that physical training is very arduous and we need to overcome various obstacles. But we are supposed to show the young athletes the charm of sports. Sports is beautiful. It symbolizes health, love and friendship.
Deng Yaping: The Olympics is in my blood. Ever since I was a child, I have had a dream to become an Olympic champion, and I finally realized it. The Olympics not only realized my personal value, but more importantly, it represents the spirit of sportsmanship -- striving for progress, climbing to the top, and never giving up. When I realized my dream, all the Chinese people felt proud of me. It is our unshakable responsibility to win glory for the country.
The inheritance of sportsmanship of outstanding athletes inspires everyone: if we can do it, everyone can do it. We have proved that we can change our own destiny and the destiny of our children through hard work.
China News Network: How should we spread our own culture through the Olympic stage? Have you made foreign friends through the Olympics?
Deng Yaping: Firstly, the Olympics is a platform for athletes to have cultural exchanges. We exchanged commemorative medals and uniforms in the Olympic Village, and Chinese athletes would use panda dolls to exchange for mascots from other countries, which helped us make more friends.
In addition, when we take part in the competition on behalf of our country, more viewers will learn about China's history and culture, and be more willing to see the beautiful scenery of China with their own eyes.
I think that cultural exchange is not limited to what we say, but also what we do, which is more important. Sports is the best carrier, with no need for any explanation. We can have cultural exchanges and establish cross-cultural friendships through eye contact, body language and other means.
Chusovitina: I compete for my country in the Olympics, and many people learn about my country and become interested in visiting it.
The atmosphere in the global gymnastics community is very friendly. I think I have friends in every corner of the world. Especially in China, I have more friends and fans here. I am very grateful for their support, which motivates me to continue training and live up to their expectations.
China News Network: What role do outstanding athletes play in international communication? How can we bring out the value of athletes and spread the Olympic spirit to more people?
Chusovitina: For me, athletes are just like "guardians" of their country and our battlefield is the sports stadium. Everyone has his or her own way of defending the motherland. We are maintaining and defending the national honor, and I feel very proud of this.
Deng Yaping: Excellent athletes are messengers of peace, friendship and culture. We represent the culture of our own country. In the process of international communication, it is of vital importance for us to be sincere.
Young Chinese athletes love to extend their individuality. Everyone is different, and we should respect this individuality. When athletes show themselves, they are also showing their country. I think we should enjoy the wonderful platform of the Olympics and the opportunity to show ourselves and our country even more.
China News Network: What do you think we should do to enhance China's voice in the world Olympic family, Ms. Deng? In integrating with the world sports industry, is there anything that China can learn from other countries?
Deng Yaping: Firstly, we should get familiar with the working methods and operating rules of international sports organizations in order to better integrate into the Olympic family.
Secondly, we need to focus on the topics that more athletes are keenly concerned about. This requires a lot of investigation and research.
We should not only know about Chinese athletes but also those from other countries and regions. Working in international organizations, we represent not only China but also all athletes. It is crucial to understand their needs and offer pertinent and practical suggestions, which will eventually form policies and help them.
The power of voice in any organization depends on whether you can make suggestions that benefit the majority. If you can, you will gradually win more support.
Our own competitive strength, national strength, long history, and splendid culture should give us enough confidence. I think if we keep a peaceful mind and do what we can, there is no need for self-doubt. We are good enough.
China News Network: Ms. Chusovitina, how can sports better leverage its unique attributes to spread the stories of athletes to the whole world and allow people to experience their culture?
Chusovitina: Nowadays, almost everyone has his social platform accounts. When athletes are training at home or when they are taking a walk, they can show and tell stories about their countries. This is also a way of dissemination to help more people understand their countries.
When athletes gather together, everyone tells stories about their own country and other athletes get to know about the country, about the delicious food and beautiful scenery.
For example, many years ago, someone told me about the Great Wall. Later I saw the Great Wall on the Internet and was deeply attracted to it. I started reading materials about it. That’s how culture spreads.
China News Network: The Paris Olympics has kicked off already. Do you have anything to say to the athletes?
Chusovitina: First, I wish them good health and no injuries, which is the most important thing. I hope they can enjoy the Olympics as much as possible, compete with joy and a smile, and that they naturally achieve good results.
Deng Yaping: Paris hosted the Summer Olympics in 1924, which is exactly one hundred years ago. China shares a similar story as we waited around a century to host the Beijing Olympics in 2008. France has contributed lots of wisdom throughout the history of the Olympic movement. I very much look forward to athletes from all over the world fully demonstrating their skills and achieving better results in the Paris Olympics, so that global audiences can witness an unparalleled Olympic Games.
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