Paris is a city painted in vibrant colors, with Impressionist clouds that float like bubbles, endless green fields, and slowly turning windmills. It’s a city where artists are always performing on the streets. But this summer, Paris became the focus of the entire world as it hosted the Olympic Games. And for me, after more than ten days of this incredible journey, I’m now reflecting on my very first Olympic experience.
I’m deeply grateful to my parents, who, despite never having traveled abroad themselves, supported me fully in my decision to explore the wider world and pursue a career in sports. I carry their love and support with me, and though we are on different continents, I brought them with me to the Arc de Triomphe for a virtual family photo. Seeing the light in their eyes, even from afar, filled me with happiness.
I am also immensely thankful to my professors at GWU—Dr. Neirotti, Terrence Burns, and Lisa Chazanovitz. Despite their own busy schedules, they cared for us like family during the Olympics, leveraging their vast networks to provide us with incredible opportunities. We were privileged to hear from top IOC and TOP executives and visit the US High Performance Center, the Olympic House, the Olympic Club, the Olympic Broadcasting Center, the Olympic Media Center, and the Olympic Village. These experiences were once-in-a-lifetime, and I’m grateful that during my graduate school interviews at GWU last year, I was drawn to the Olympic program. It was this focus, along with many other factors, that made me choose a school with strong programs and abundant resources. The Paris Olympics have reaffirmed that this was the right choice.
During the Olympics, I made many new friends at GWU. Although I am still adapting to American culture and sometimes feel a bit out of place, my new friends have been incredibly understanding and encouraging. One of the highlights was our boat ride on the Seine, where we shared the most beautiful Parisian night view and witnessed the special Olympic light show on the Eiffel Tower. It made me think of the Japanese phrase “一期一会” (ichi-go ichi-e), meaning that every encounter is unique and should be treasured.
I had several deeply moving moments during the Paris Olympics. The first was at the Netherland House. Due to my limited English, I almost missed entering, thinking it wasn’t the right place. But once inside, I was blown away by the concert-like atmosphere. The highlight was when a Dutch female cyclist won a silver medal, and the crowd erupted in celebration, reaching a level of excitement I’ve rarely seen. This moment hit me hard because, in China, we often focus solely on winning gold. Athletes who don’t win first place are often seen as failures, and we rarely celebrate second place. In contrast, the atmosphere at the Netherland House was so overwhelming that I nearly cried. In China, there is still a long way to go in terms of how we view competitive sports and athletes. Recently, I’ve seen troubling news about fan culture in Chinese sports, where athletes are attacked for not being the favorite of certain fan groups. As a former competitive swimmer myself, I remember standing on the starting block to represent my school and city, with no one cheering for me except my parents, simply because some teammates and coaches didn’t like me—even though I ultimately brought honor to the team. A Chinese netizen once said, “When we stop fixating on gold medals and start cheering for silver, bronze, and even those without medals, we will truly begin our journey towards becoming a great sporting nation.” I hope that during my graduate studies, I can learn more about sports management and how to promote sports education. We should celebrate these athletes, who embody the Olympic spirit, and ensure that their efforts are recognized and honored.
Another significant moment was when I conducted a survey at the Samsung booth. I met a fellow Chinese from Macau who was willing to fill out my questionnaire while her daughters played games to win Olympic pins. We talked about her experiences watching the Olympics and her thoughts on the security situation in Paris. Her feedback gave me valuable insights into how the public perceives this grand event.
I also made connections with locals like Sophia and grew closer to my GWU classmates while volunteering at the USA House. We even took photos together in the photo booth. Through conversations with French people, I learned that while the Paris Olympics have faced criticism, the support for the Games far outweighs the negativity.
One of the most unforgettable moments was an unexpected encounter with Michael Phelps at the Champion Park. Just as a video of his Olympic victories started playing on the big screen, he stepped down from the DJ booth to say a few words. As a student-athlete who swam competitively, Phelps has always been a legend to me. The 2008 Beijing Olympics were nothing short of miraculous, and seeing him in person was a dream come true—a moment that made up for missing Curry’s game.
There are so many more moments that moved me during these two weeks in Paris, and I will carry these memories with me forever. The last photo in this blog is a collection of badges and souvenirs from the Olympics. I hope that by the time LA 2028 rolls around, I will have earned the right to hold an official work pass from the organizing committee, to see the Olympic rings light up in Los Angeles, and to witness the Olympic flame in the western United States. I look forward to collecting many more sports-related credentials over the next two years and making my parents proud. Thank you, GWU, for the best first class I could ever have.
