Champion athletes inspired by visit to Chinese progress exhibition

China's world champion athletes and coaches have found increased motivation in the country's achievements, and say they want to help it realize its aspiration of being a world-class sporting power.

From the exquisite torch used at the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympics to the fancy cycling helmets painted with Peking opera masks worn by Chinese track cyclists at the 2016 Rio Olympics, items on display at an exhibition in Beijing on Monday triggered oohs and ahhs from visitors flocking to the show to review China's social and economic achievements over the past five years.

Some high-profile athletes attended the show at the Beijing Exhibition Hall, recalling their own highlight moments while learning about the progress their country achieved in other fields.