Mainland China Olympic stars urge Hong Kong residents to pursue their dreams after sporting event

“As a professional athlete, I am confronted with winning and losing every day, which I think is also the charm of competitive sports,” she said in her speech.

“Life is about picking up and letting go… Victory and defeat are common and temporary. Only the path to chasing your dreams is eternal.”

“When we are in the most pain, perhaps that is also the time we grow the fastest. What doesn’t kill us will ultimately make us stronger. Hopefully, we can always have faith in ourselves and hold on a little longer, even in the most painful times,” she added.

The world number one said she was aware that the national flag on her uniform was more important than her name on the back, and said she had noticed the level of athletes in Hong Kong had improved significantly, even though she had not played against them during the trip.

She said she was impressed with the facilities and logistical support provided by the Hong Kong Sports Institute and hoped that athletes from the city and the mainland could play with the common goal of representing their country.

Another fan favourite, gold medallist Quan Hongchan, made two clear jumps from the 10-metre platform at Victoria Park Pool in Causeway Bay as she took part in the morning demonstration alongside other aquatic stars.

But the diving queen complained in a poolside interview that she didn’t have enough time to explore Hong Kong on her own.

“I really like (Hong Kong),” she said. “Everywhere is nice!”

When the event hostess asked her if she had enjoyed the city herself, Quan replied, “Not yet.”

The athletes have been in the spotlight since they landed at Hong Kong airport on Thursday and were welcomed down the red carpet.

During the three-day visit, the delegation met local athletes, students and disciplined service personnel, took a harbor cruise, visited the Peak and showcased their musical talent at a gala performance on Friday night.

The Olympic athletes were welcomed with enthusiasm in the city from start to finish. Large numbers of fans from the mainland and locals waited outside the delegation’s hotel and event venues, hoping to catch a glimpse of their idols outside the competition venues.

The biggest stars were cheered enthusiastically as they showed off their skills and Quan was once again showered with her favourite cuddly turtles at the poolside.

Quan thanked her fans for their warm welcome and shared her tip for keeping a cool head despite her fame.

“Mentality is the most important thing. Take it easy, be happy and don’t think too much,” the 17-year-old said. “The crowd is very passionate; many fans waited under the hot sun to see us, so I’m very grateful.”

Weightlifter Li Fabin, who defended his gold medal in the 61kg class at the Paris Olympics, said the experience in the French capital made him think about retirement.

“I felt a strong Olympic spirit during the Paris Games, which gave me the desire to continue participating in the next Olympic Games,” he said, adding that he would return to training after recovering from his knee injury.

Mixed doubles badminton gold medalist Zheng Siwei said he found the young Hong Kong players he met during the trip to be passionate and skilled.

“I hope they can pursue their dreams with all their might and I wish them all the best,” he said. “Find a badminton player you like and learn from him.”

Zheng shared a viral moment with shooting champion Sheng Lihao at an event earlier in the day at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai, where the latter’s clumsy attempt at playing badminton became a hot topic on social media in China.

The session also featured gymnastics demonstrations and table tennis matches, including one between Chinese legend Ma Long and Hong Kong’s Wong Chun-ting.

The two exhibition events held on Saturday morning were among three opportunities for the public to watch the visiting Chinese athletes in action. Authorities said earlier that a total of about 5,300 tickets were on sale for the gala show and the two showcases.

General Manager John Lee Ka-chiu, who attended the delegation’s private farewell lunch, said in a social media post that the sports stars had given Hong Kong an unforgettable experience and filled the city with a strong sporting vibe.

The city government also pledged to promote the development of sports in the city and encouraged sports clubs to cooperate with their mainland counterparts.

“I hope that the mainland and Hong Kong will continue to work closely together, improving the technical level of athletes and bringing glory to the country,” Lee added.

The delegation crossed the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai Bridge on Saturday afternoon to begin their three-day tour in Macau, where they were welcomed by 150 primary and secondary school students. The athletes were scheduled to perform at a showcase event at the casino centre on Sunday.