Torchbearers are lighting up inspiration
Being a sports reporter for more than a decade, “Olympics” is a magic word to me. When I was holding the Olympic torch for the second time on Monday in Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, I found the word is also an invitation for everyone to shine.
It was a great honor for me to be invited by the International Olympic Committee to be a torchbearer for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games as a representative of Chinese sports reporters. Ten years ago, I was also invited by IOC to be a torchbearer for the 2008 Beijing Summer Games, running my slot in the host city.
I have now carried the torch in two dif- ferent countries, for two different Games, and I have seen how the Olympic flame is an inspiration for everybody around it.
For the Pyeongchang torch relay, there are 7,500 runners, representing the entire 75 million people residing on the Korean peninsula. In 101 days, the route covers 2,018 km, passing through nine provinces and eight major cities throughout the country.
When I arrived at the collection point for the torchbearers, all the staff and even passers-by cheered because they knew I would be joining the relay. I could feel their enthusiasm toward the Olympics from the bottom of their hearts. When a group of torchbearers left to join the relay, all the people high-fived with us, shouting “Fighting!”.
With less than a month to go before the Games’ opening ceremonies in Pyeongchang, Seoul has been transformed into an Olympic city as well. Along the relay route, people came out to cheer the flame. While I awaited my turn, many people came to take photos with me and the torch.
“Let everyone shine” is not just a slogan for the torch relay but reflects the fact that ordinary people from every walk of life — students, bakers, teachers, farmers — are taking part. The Olympic spirit is a lot more than the slogan of “faster, higher, stronger”. The word “Olympics” has the magic to bring everyone together to chase their dreams.
I’ve covered three Winter Olympic Games as a reporter. I won’t be in Pyeongchang next month, but I know I will be in Beijing in 2022, where the next Winter Games will be held.
After 14 years, the Olympic flame will return to Beijing, making China’s capital the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Games.
Good luck Pyeongchang! Good luck Beijing!