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Our 2008, moments to remember
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2008-12-25 13:41

Games to change a generation

For 23-year-old undergraduate Liao Ninggang, the Beijing Olympics showed it was time for the Chinese to stop envying foreign countries.

"I used to think there was a huge gap between China and the developed world, that we could hardly catch up with them," Liao told China Daily on December 23, 2008, "But now our country has great potential and we can keep up with developed countries in the near future."

Similarly, 20-year-old medical student Li Shuo changed her mind to study abroad after the Olympics.

"China is developing so fast and so well, there must be many opportunities for me. So why should I go to other countries?" said Li, who was a volunteer for the Beijing Games.

Both Liao and Li are part of a young generation of Chinese who had dreamed of seeking their fortunes abroad before the success of the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics made them confident and proud of a future at home.