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Spectators from China and other countries cheer together before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics in Paris on July 26, 2024. Photo: Li Hao/GT

Spectators enter the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics in Paris on July 26, 2024. Photo: Li Hao/GT

With the lighting of the Olympic flame in Paris on Friday night, the world has officially entered Olympic time. At this very moment, the Chinese delegation has been fully prepared for this grand event. 

Chinese athletes are intensively preparing in various locations, from the athletics track to the swimming pool, from the gymnastics hall to the shooting range, with each training venue brimming with the sweat of their hard work.

Table tennis, China's national sport, carries some of the highest expectations of Chinese spectators. This time, veteran Ma Long will serve as the flag bearer for the Chinese delegation at the Olympics. Ma, also the men's team captain, said that this role has given him great confidence and encouragement. 

"Over the years, our predecessors have laid a solid foundation through their efforts, and now the baton has been passed to our generation. I hope to continue this legacy and tell the story of the spirit of Chinese table tennis and the spirit of Chinese sports at the Paris Olympics," Ma told media, according to a report by the Beijing Youth Daily on Thursday. 

Ma is aiming for his sixth Olympic gold medal in Paris.

Another highly anticipated team is China's diving team, known as the "Dream Team." On July 21, the Chinese diving team arrived at the Paris Olympic Village. Just a few hours later, the entire team completed their first training session at the aquatic sports center, making their final push.

Chinese gymnastics team departed from Beijing on July 18, starting their journey to the Paris Olympics. In Tokyo three years ago, the Chinese gymnastics team won three individual event gold medals. This time, they aim to defend their titles in their strong events while seeking breakthroughs in team events in Paris.

To better acclimatize for training, the Chinese swimming team arrived in Paris on July 6. The team consists of 31 athletes, including 18 female and 13 male swimmers, featuring Olympic champions such as Zhang Yufei and Ye Shiwen.

The total size of the Chinese sports delegation for the Paris Olympics is 716, including 405 athletes (136 men and 269 women) and 311 officials and support staff. The athletes' average age is 25, with the oldest being 37-year-old race walker Liu Hong and the youngest being 11-year-old skateboarder Zheng Haohui. The delegation includes 42 Olympic champions, and 223 athletes are making their Olympic debut.

The "China House" of the Paris Olympics at the Rothschild Mansion opens its doors to guests in Paris on July 24, 2024. Photo: VCG

Zhou Yaqin performs her balance beam routine during Artistic Gymnastics training on July 25, 2024 in Paris. Photo: VCG

Cui Chenxi of Team China practices skateboarding ahead of the Paris Olympic Games on July 23, 2024 in Paris. Photo: VCG

A view of residential accommodation building at the Olympic Village where the Chinese athletes are housed during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Chinese diver Yang Hao wears a souvenir of the Paris Olympics mascot Phryge at a souvenir shop in the Olympic Village in Paris on July 21, 2024.