The 2024 Paris Olympics were all the talk on Chinese social media these weeks. Beyond the gold medal moments, there were also happenings on the sidelines, at the venues, or on the award stage that went viral and sparked online memes.

Before diving into other memorable moments, here’s a quick recap: China won a total of 91 medals at these Olympics, including 40 gold. The U.S. also won 40 gold medals, making this the first tie in the Summer Games’ history.

China secured all the gold medals in both table tennis and diving. China overtook the U.S. for the most Olympic diving gold medals of all time.

Chinese athletes also excelled in swimming; particularly Pan Zhanle (潘展乐), who broke the world record in the 100-meter freestyle and won gold. Zheng Qinwen (郑钦文) made history in Chinese women’s tennis by claiming the championship in women’s singles.

Quan Hongchan (全红婵) was not only among the youngest Chinese athletes but also became the most popular, breaking records with her double Olympic diving gold. Sun Yingsha (孙颖莎) and Wang Chuqin (王楚钦) emerged as the undisputed queen and king of China’s table tennis.

Now, let’s revisit some of the other memorable moments, in no particular order (though perhaps chronological). Did I miss one? Please let me know!

#1 Chang Yani and Chen Yiwen’s “Princess Carry” Moment

After grabbing gold at the women’s synchro 3m springboard, Chinese divers Chang Yani (昌雅妮) and Chen Yiwen (陳藝文) celebrated their win. In their moment of joy, Chang jumped into Chen’s arms – the “princess carry” moment undeniably was the cutest Olympic picture of the day.

Fans have been sharing photos and collages of the two divers, whose talent and strong bond serve as a source of inspiration to many.

See post.

#2 Quan’s ‘Ugly’ Slippers

There is one Olympic athlete who really seems to have conquered everyone’s hearts during the Olympics: Quan Hongchan (全红婵). The young springboard diver from Guangdong became one of the most-discussed athletes on Chinese social media during Paris 2024.

Quan has accomplished a lot. She previously, in 2021, won gold in the women’s 10m platform at the Tokyo Olympics, at just 14 years old. At the Paris Olympics, together with Chen Yuxi (陈芋汐), she first secured gold in the women’s synchronized 10m platform event on July 31st. On August 6, she also won gold in the women’s 10-meter platform diving final – the water did not even splash!

But the diving star is also noteworthy for quirkiness and authenticity. – something that is referred to as “being Guangdong-style relaxed” (“广式”松弛感) by Chinese netizens. Her backpack is covered in stuffed animals (some say she’s “carrying a zoo on her back”), and she loves wearing animal-themed slippers.

Her “ugly fish slippers” became all the rage since videos of Quan walking around with them went viral online, but she also has other types of ‘ugly-cute’ funny slippers (丑萌拖鞋火) that have become popular online.

See video.

#3 Funny Foreigners Holding the Chinese Flag?

Just a little reminder that things aren’t always what they seem! Chinese viewers noticed that it appeared as if non-Chinese audience members were holding up the Chinese flag at the Olympic venue.

However, it later turned out that it was actually Chinese Olympic fans holding the flag so high that it looked like the people seated above them were the ones holding it. This led to a lot of banter online.

See post.

#4 Olympic Marriage Proposal

Image via @懂球帝 on Weibo.

China’s 12th gold of the Paris Olympics was won by badminton champions Huang Yaqiong (黄雅琼) and Zheng Siwei (郑思维). It was China’s first badminton gold medal of Paris 2024 in the mixed doubles against South Korea.

This gold medal became even more special when a diamond was added to the game. Olympic champion Huang Yaqiong was proposed to by her teammate and men’s doubles player, Liu Yuchen (刘雨辰).

Liu got down on one knee and popped the question right after Huang’s award ceremony. It was later reported that Huang was unaware of the proposal beforehand, although everyone else on the team, except her Olympic partner Zheng Siwei, was in on the secret.

See video.

#5 He Bingjiao Brings Badge of Opponent

Chinese badminton player He Bingjiao (何冰娇) displayed true Olympic spirit when she carried a pin of the Spanish flag onto the podium after her Spanish semifinal opponent had to withdraw due to injury.

Spain’s Carolina Marin was forced to abandon the badminton women’s singles competition after sustaining a knee injury during her semifinal match against He Bingjiao. It was a heartbreaking moment for Marin, who was in tears.

He Bingjiao went on to win silver and carried a Team Spain Olympic pin with her onto the podium to honor Marin.

Marin later said about He Bingjiao: “[…] The moment on the podium is one of the most beautiful gestures I’ve ever experienced, and I will always be incredibly grateful to her.”

See post.

#6 British Team Congratulates Silver Medalists Instead of Gold

Chinese divers Chen Yuxi (陈芋汐) and Quan Hongchan (全红婵) became especially meme-worthy on Chinese social media due to their facial expressions.

After they won gold, the British team, who took bronze, apparently first congratulated the North Korean team that won silver, bypassing the Chinese duo and creating what looked like a somewhat awkward situation.

Although the moment went viral, there were no hard feelings between the two teams; the British team was later also seen have friendly interactions with the Chinese divers.

See video.

#7 Swedish Photographer Bumps Into Wang Chuqin

Chinese table tennis star Wang Chuqin has been one of the most popular athletes on Chinese social media during these Olympics. He is also affectionately called “Wang Chu-KING” (王楚king).

There has been a lot to do about Wang these Olympics, not just because of his athletic performance, but also due to some controversies. After winning gold Wang’s favorite paddle was stepped on and broken by a photographer at the Olympic venue on July 30. Although the photographer was identified by Chinese netizens has having the ‘3488’ number on his back, there was no follow-up in the issue.

Another incident involved a Swedish journalist bumping into Wang at the Olympic venue. Many viewers suggested she intentionally rammed into him, and some sources claim that the journalist was banned from the venue, although this has not been reported by other media outlets.

See video.

#8 Team North Korea and South Korea Take a Selfie Together

It was a special moment: athletes from North Korea, South Korea, and China came together to chat and take a group photo at the podium after winning their table tennis medals. The moment quickly went viral across the internet.

Before the photo, the athletes shook hands and greeted each other on the winner’s podium. The South Korean athletes initiated the selfie. Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yu-bin won bronze, North Korea’s Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong took silver, and China’s Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha claimed gold.

Some Chinese commenters viewed the moment as a reflection on what might have been if history had taken a different course. One blogger (@黄卉今天废物了吗) wrote: “It’s a group photo of East Asia without the Japanese. The atmosphere is very warm. Without the Japanese invasion, there wouldn’t have been the division of North and South Korea, nor would there be Taiwan declaring independence.”

See video.

#9 Zhou Yaqing Learns About Medal-Biting Tradition

Chinese gymnast Zhou Yaqing (周雅琴) was happy to have won silver, but she seemed a bit out of her comfort zone at the winner’s stage. When she saw the Italian gold en bronze medalists Alice D’Amato and Manila Esposito biting their medals – a popular tradition among athletes – she first looked at them with a look of surprise. She seemed to have no idea what they were doing.

Nevertheless, Zhou quickly responded and mimicked her fellow athletes. But instead of biting the medal, the just held the medal close to her mouth. The cute moment captured hearts worldwide.

See video.

#10 Weightlifter Li Wenwen Scoops up Coach

Li Wenwen’s gold medal win (women’s +81kg weighlifting, total of 309kg) was heartwarming and somewhat hilarious. After expressing her joy over winning on stage, she ran to the back and scooped up her coach like he was light as a feather (he had zero choice) and brought him on stage to celebrate with her. Even the Chinese commentator called her adorable.

See video.

 
Read our Olympic file here.
 

By Manya Koetse

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