Olympic Champion Gu Ailing Ignites 2024 Torch Relay in France! 🏅🔥 - 🌍NewspaperAmigo

Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing carried the torch of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in the Loire-Atlantique department of western France on Wednesday.

\"I am currently by the Loire River in France, having just completed the torch relay. I am still very excited and very happy to be here as a young athlete to participate in the event,\" Gu shared.

The relay attracted a large crowd of local residents cheering on the torchbearers. The freestyle ski world champion expressed how the vibrant atmosphere deeply moved her, making her even prouder to be part of the event.

\"I saw children, elderly people, and even babies in their parents' arms along the road. From them, I could feel their passion for the Olympics and sports. I think this is also part of the Olympic spirit – to attract more people to participate,\" said the 20-year-old athlete, who secured two golds and one silver for China at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.

During the torch relay, Gu frequently made a hand gesture representing the number six. She explained that in Chinese contemporary slang, \"six\" signifies being awesome. Additionally, the gesture resembles horns, and in Chinese, the character \"niu,\" meaning \"cow,\" also conveys awesomeness or impressiveness.

\"I wanted to use this gesture to show that China is awesome, and Chinese athletes are awesome too. I especially hope to see Chinese athletes achieve great results in the upcoming Olympics next month,\" Gu stated. \"I will definitely come to Paris to watch the Olympics then.\"

As a winter sports athlete, Gu mentioned she couldn’t pick a specific event she’s most excited about for the summer Olympics. \"I can't say that. I have many friends competing in the Olympics, and if I mention one and forget another, they might not be happy,\" she joked.

With her semester at Stanford University concluded, Gu revealed she had flown over 10 hours to France the day before the torch relay and was finishing her final assignments on the plane. \"I have to fly back to the United States tomorrow to continue preparing for my final exams,\" Gu said.