Chinese skater pins down favorite memory of Youth Games

For any teenage athlete, competing at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) probably creates memories that will last a lifetime. Not to mention winning a haul of two gold and two silver medals.

Yet, for Zhang Xinzhe, a 16-year-old Chinese short-track speed skater who won four medals at the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in South Korea, there are even fonder memories from his first YOG experience — he made friends with Lim Yeo-jeong, a South Korean volunteer at the Games.

And it all started with a pin.

Badge of friendship

The tradition of pin badges stretches all the way back to Athens 1896, the very first modern Olympic Games, and they have become an important part of the culture surrounding the Olympic Games. The act of pin trading helps to bridge cultures by forging connections between people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds.

Located inside both Youth Olympic Villages for Gangwon 2024 — Gangneung and Jeongseon High 1 — Athlete365 House is an essential hub for competitors to meet other athletes and enjoy activities designed to help them maximize their YOG experience. In addition, it's an Olympic pin trading hotspot.

Like his YOG peers, since checking in to the Youth Olympic Village, Zhang frequently visited Athletes365 House. On Jan 20, Zhang and several teammates took part in a VR Experience activity there. Lim and two other volunteers approached Zhang in the hope of getting a pin from China that featured the panda mascot of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Bing Dwen Dwen.

As Zhang had only two pins, he had to ask the three volunteers to play "rock paper scissors" to decide who would get them.

Lim turned out to be the unlucky loser. Seeing that Lim was upset with the outcome, Zhang ran off, acquired a China pin from his teammate Li Jinzi and gave it to Lim.

"I was surprised," Lim recalled. "As a Chinese proverb goes, 'misfortune may be a blessing in disguise', but I never expected it would be fulfilled in such a way.

"The pin is a symbol of true friendship. For me, it will be the most memorable moment from the Youth Winter Olympics," she said.

Next came Zhang's turn to receive a surprise gift.

A hand-written letter

On Jan 21, Zhang claimed gold in the men's 1,000m short-track final. When he passed by the Athletes365 House after his competition, Lim was waiting to congratulate him. She also gave Zhang a hand-written letter.

"The letter was neatly written in Chinese. I didn't expect such a gift at all, so I was deeply moved," said Zhang.

Lim studied Chinese language briefly during her high school days. Despite that previous learning experience, she admitted, she had to resort to a translation app while composing the letter, and that it took her a while to finish.

"Hopefully we can meet again at the next Winter Olympics," Lim wrote in the letter. "I will always be supporting you, even if we can't see each other."

Lim was a senior high school student when South Korea hosted the Winter Olympics in 2018. Ever since she has harbored dreams of becoming a volunteer for the Olympics. Six years on, her dream came true.

During the Gangwon 2024 YOG, Lim was working as physical therapist. "I've learned a lot from these YOG athletes. It will help me in my future career development," she said.

Zhang and Lim have followed each other on Instagram, making it easy to keep in touch after the Youth Olympic Games.

"For me, the YOG gave me joy when I made the podium, but I found the same amount of joy meeting new friends. I will keep those memories forever," said Zhang.

Xinhua