Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games have attracted attention worldwide. In the competition arena, athletes’ friendships have stolen some limelight away from the sporting action and warmed hearts around the world.
A moment of friendship and respect
China's Gu Ailing clinched the title from France's Tess Ledeux on the last jump in the women's freeski big air. Ledeux had set a benchmark of 94.5 on her first run but failed to improve on her final score with a flawed landing during her last run.
Just moments after Ledeux finished her competition, Gu and Switzerland's bronze medalist Mathilde Gremaud came up to console Ledeux, who lost her father last year.
Gu Ailing (R) of China and Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland (C) comfort Tess Ledeux of France after women's freeski big air final at Big Air Shougang in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)
The three girls broke through their limits, encouraging each other during the competition. They not only brought us wonderful performances, but also showed friendship and warmth.
Gu Ailing (C) of China, Tess Ledeux (L) of France and Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland celebrate during flower ceremony after women's freeski big air final at Big Air Shougang in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Beyond the playing field, friendships capture hearts
After the United States beat China 7-5 in the mixed doubles round robin on Feb. 5, Fan Suyuan and Ling Zhi presented their American counterparts, Christopher Plys and Vicky Persinger, with a set of commemorative pin badges featuring Bing Dwen Dwen, the panda mascot of the Games.
Fan Suyuan (2nd L) and Ling Zhi (2nd R) of China pose for photos with Christopher Plys (L) and Vicky Persinger of the United States after their curling mixed doubles round robin game of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at National Aquatics Center in Beijing, Feb. 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Jingqiang)
The American duo displayed the badges on social media, saying that they were "honored to receive these beautiful Beijing 2022 pin sets in a wonderful display of sportsmanship by our Chinese counterparts."
In return, the American curlers gave pins to Ling and Fan, but they still wanted to find "something special" for their Chinese friends. "We still have to go back to the [Olympic] Village and find something, a good jersey, or put something together," Plys said Monday.
Screenshot from Twitter of USA curlers Chris Plys and Vicky Persinger
Competing with "idols and heroes”
17-year-old Su Yiming became the first Chinese male snowboarder to reach the Olympic podium after winning a silver medal in snowboard slopestyle.
Su saluted his two rivals, both from Canada, calling them his idols and heroes had who lit up his road to the Olympics.
Walking off the podium, Su went directly to hug champion Max Parrott first and then bronze medal winner Mark McMorris, before the three took a group photo, hands on each others' shoulders.
When reporters relayed Su's words to McMorris, the three-time Olympian responded, "It's amazing to be an idol of someone really special."
"When I started snowboarding for a living, he was just five years old. That's pretty crazy," said the 28-year-old Canadian, who also won a bronze medal at Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018.
Su Yiming (L) of China, Max Parrot (C) and Mark McMorris of Canada pose during the flower ceremony after men's snowboard slopestyle final at the Genting Snow Park in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)
Silver medalist Su Yiming (L) of China and gold medalist Max Parrot (R) of Canada react during the flower ceremony for the Men's Snowboard Slopestyle final at the Genting Snow Park in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)
Friendship demonstrates Olympic values
After glancing at the scoreboard, Ashley Caldwell from the United States rushed over to China's freestyle skier Xu Mengtao to shout and congratulate her on winning gold medal in the freestyle skiing women's aerials final.
"Taotao, Olympic champion! I'm so proud of you!"
Like her close friend Xu, fourth-placed finisher Caldwell is also competing in her fourth Olympic Games, and perhaps nobody else could understand Xu's emotion better than her at that moment.
Xu Mengtao (R) of China hugs Ashley Caldwell of the United States after the freestyle skiing women's aerials final of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at Genting Snow Park in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)
The Olympic Games are not just about contention for top honors. There is always a special moment when something goes beyond the competition and exhibits what the Olympic Games is all about. It's sportsmanship and friendship that will be perhaps be remembered most about these Games.
