FRIENDSHIP FIRST, COMPETITION SECOND

Even amid the intensity of battle on the world's biggest stage, the Olympic spirit was alive and well in Tokyo. Perhaps it was because the shadow of the pandemic hung over the Games that athletes' sportsmanship, goodwill and consideration for their fellow competitors at times seemed to eclipse the fight for medals and glory. Chinese athletes contributed their fair share of touching moments, as ever conducting themselves with dignity and decorum, but also letting their emotional guard down on occasion to show their caring sides, even with the stakes so high. Team China athletes were also on the receiving end of many heartwarming gestures from their foreign rivals, some of whom put aside the pain of defeat to pay tribute to their opponents. As we say in China: "Friendship first, competition second."

Emotional farewell

Eight-time Olympian Oksana Chusovitina received a standing ovation as she walked out of the gymnastics arena in her last Games in Tokyo. "I cried tears of happiness because so many people have supported me for a long time," she said. Chusovitina's Olympic journey began in 1992, competing for the Unified Team of the former Soviet Union. She has also represented Germany and her native Uzbekistan. When Chusovitina's 3-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia in 2002, she sold her possessions and used her prize money to pay for his life-saving treatment. At the age of 46, Chusovitina competed against gymnasts her son's age in Tokyo.

Putting it in perspective

Shot putters Gong Lijiao and Valerie Adams have battled it out at major championships for years. China's Gong finally got her hands on Olympic gold in Tokyo, with New Zealand's two-time champion Adams this time having to settle for bronze. After Gong stepped down from the podium, Adams gave the 32-year-old a big hug, and later paid a glowing tribute to her longtime rival. "I have competed against Lijiao at many, many Games, she's a great competitor," said Adams. "I think we are competitors but also friends. I also have a lot of respect for Lijiao, and today she has produced an amazing performance and done China proud."

Idol encounter

Teenager Guan Chenchen won China's third artistic gymnastics gold by beating her idol, Simone Biles, in the women's balance beam, while her teammate Tang Xijing won silver. For Guan, simply participating in the Olympics was a dream come true. "Actually, Biles has been my role model. I did not expect to win over her in my Olympic debut in Tokyo," said the 16-year-old. Biles and her US teammate Sunisa Lee made a point of approaching Guan to congratulate the young Chinese star on her triumph. Lee later posted a photo of herself and Guan on social media, accompanied by the message: "I'm so proud."

Forever friends

Chinese table tennis star Liu Shiwen endured a difficult Olympics in Tokyo. The 2016 Rio champion missed out on gold in the mixed doubles final, and then was forced to quit the Games due to an elbow injury. The 30-year-old, though, was inundated with messages of encouragement from fans and friends. Among those offering support was retired Japanese paddler Ai Fukuhara, who has trained with and competed against Liu since they were kids. "Due to the pandemic, I'm now unable to come to you. But after all this is over, I will for sure visit you. We can eat barbecue skewers together and let's see who the taller one is now," Fukuhara said in a video message to her longtime friend. "I think now I'm taller than you, but I must be much heavier. Right now what you need to do is adjust your mindset. Just keep trying and I will always support you."

Encouraging embrace

China's Zhang Yufei delivered one of the most touching moments from the swimming program in Tokyo when she showed her caring side by warmly hugging Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, who returned to competition last August after recovering from leukemia. Ikee, who was discharged from hospital in December 2019 after going through 10 months of treatment, took part in her second Olympic Games after competing in seven events at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Ikee was regarded as a major future star of the sport after winning six gold medals at the 2018 Asian Games. However, her illness slowed her progress and she was unable to finish on the podium in Tokyo. Zhang waited patiently for Ikee to finish a TV interview before embracing her and saying she hoped she could come back strongly at next year's Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. "See you next year," said Zhang as she held Ikee in her arms.

Share the joy

In the men's high jump final, Tokyo received a welcome dose of Olympic spirit when Mutaz Barshim of Qatar and Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi put friendship before individual glory. The two were tied after their final leaps and were offered the chance of a jump-off to decide the winner at a spectator-free Olympic Stadium, before Barshim asked: "Can we have two golds?" The answer was yes and the jumpers－friends who both overcame injury setbacks to make the Games－shared top spot on the Olympic podium. Tamberi was overcome with emotion, writhing around on the track before congratulating compatriot Lamont Marcell Jacobs on his shock win in the 100 meters.

Dignified Dimitrij

German table tennis star Dimitrij Ovtcharov once again saw his Olympic gold-medal dream shattered by Chinese paddlers in Tokyo. But that didn't affect his admiration for his rivals, on or off the table. "I want to convey my highest congratulations and respect to Team China, given their outstanding performances and remarkable achievements in the sport," Ovtcharov wrote on Weibo in Chinese after winning the men's team silver on Friday, when China claimed gold. Chinese Table Tennis Association president Liu Guoliang gave an insight into the good relationship between the German and the Chinese players. Liu revealed that Ovtcharov sent a video of himself playing against his wife, who was wearing Ma Long's jersey, with the German joking that he was trying to find a way to beat the Olympic champion.

Words of comfort

In badminton, Chinese pair Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan put aside the disappointment of losing the women's doubles final when they came forward to comfort Indonesia's gold-medal winner Greysia Polii, who could not help but cry after thinking of her mother, who died in 2015. The 34-year-old Polii dedicated victory to her late mom, Siti Jauhar, saying it was a gift to the woman who had inspired her to become a professional player. She and her playing partner, Apriyani Rahayu, kneeled down on the ground and burst into tears after their triumph in the final, with the Chinese duo showing their respect and sportsmanship to help their Indonesian rivals back on their feet and saying: "Don't cry. You are the winners. Be happy."