History was made in Paris this week as China tied the USA with 40 gold medals at the 2024 Summer Olympics – marking its best overseas Games performance ever! From tennis courts to boxing rings, Chinese athletes smashed records and shattered glass ceilings. Here’s the breakdown:
Game, Set, Gold! 
Zheng Qinwen became China’s first-ever Olympic tennis singles champion, defeating Croatia’s Donna Vekic in a nail-biting final. 'I kept thinking about Li Na’s journey,' said Zheng, referencing China’s 2011 French Open winner. Teammates Zhang Zhizhen and Wang Xinyu also scored silver in mixed doubles – another first for the country!
Combat Sports Domination 
Chinese boxers punched above expectations, seizing 3 golds and 2 silvers to top their category’s overall standings. This triumph highlights China’s growing dominance in Olympic combat sports like judo and taekwondo.
Rhythmic Revolution 
In a stunning upset, China’s rhythmic gymnastics team became the first non-European squad to claim group event gold, edging out Israel and Italy. Meanwhile, artistic swimmers swept both duet and team golds, cementing their status as the sport’s new powerhouse.
These victories aren’t just medals – they’re proof of China’s evolving athletic strategy. As one fan tweeted: ‘Paris 2024 = era for Chinese sports!’
Reference(s):
Chinese Olympians achieve historic breakthroughs at Paris Olympics
cgtn.com