Defeating her Russian competitor with the last shot. Yang Qian, 21, won the first gold medal of the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday in the women's 10-meter air rifle.
The junior student from Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, who is studying at the School of Economics and Management of Tsinghua University, became an immediate hit at home thanks to the calmness and confidence she has displayed.
It was Yang that drew the nation's attention to the Games, which have been delayed from last year due to the COVID-19. Although wearing a mask, her smiling eyes and the gesture she made on the podium, forming the shape of a heart with her arms, have touched audiences around the world.
For too long, the world has longed for such a moment when countries can come together. The openness, courage and self-control Yang showed during and after the event have proved to be a common language.
With her baby face and fashionable appearance, and her enthusiasm for her sport, Yang has shown young people that the Olympic Games is not only an opportunity to win honor for the nation, but also a personal stage for the athletes to enjoy themselves, show their skills, display their personal charm, and actively interact with audiences.
Compared with the predecessors, the young Chinese athletes are more likely to enjoy the moment with smiles instead of tears. And while most Chinese Olympic gold winners of the last generation regarded winning as a reward for their countless hours of practice, the young athletes tend to view winning as a new beginning rather than the end of their sporting journey.
Competing for the country and enjoying it for oneself in the Games will attract more young people to enjoy sports, and doing so can also bring more honor to the motherland.