Six Hunan Athletes Gather in Wulingyuan
On September 12, six old and new Olympic athletes from Hunan, including Long Qingquan, Xiang Yanmei, and Xiong Ni, gathered in Wulingyuan, the core scenic spot in Zhangjiajie, to start the "Olympic Journey" together, and were awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen" by the People's Government of Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie.
The six Olympic athletes include the men's 56kg weightlifting champion Long Qingquan, the women's 69kg weightlifting champion Xiang Yanmei and the women's gymnastics team third runner-up Shang Chunsong, who have just returned from the Rio Olympics. They also include former Olympic champions Xiong Ni, Gong Zhichao and Yang Xia.
Visit He Long Bronze Statue and Tour Attractions
In Wulingyuan, the Olympic athletes paid homage to the bronze statue of Marshal He Long, the first director of the Sports Commission of the People's Republic of China, in He Long Park. They visited Tianzi Mountain, Yuanjiajie, Baofeng Lake and other key scenic spots. They also performed impromptu performances of gymnastics, weightlifting, badminton and other sports at the Zhangjiajie Global Geopark Museum Square, and interacted enthusiastically with tourists at home and abroad.
Impromptu Performances and Reflections Amidst Scenery
"Performing gymnastics in the mountains and rivers of my hometown gives me the relaxation and joy of returning to nature!" Shang Chunsong, an athlete from Zhangjiajie, is happy to return to his hometown to perform. Xiong Ni, deputy director of the Hunan Provincial Sports Bureau, who has won two Olympic diving championships, said that the integration of Olympic sports and the world's natural landscapes is conducive to promoting the joint development of sports and tourism.
Zheng Xiaohu, deputy secretary of the Wulingyuan District Committee and acting district chief of Zhangjiajie City, said that Wulingyuan, as a well-known tourist area at home and abroad, is willing to form a beautiful relationship with all Olympic athletes. The issuance of "honorary citizen" certificates to Olympic athletes is just a beautiful beginning. In the future, the development and promotion of sports tourism will be strengthened and continuous efforts will be made to accelerate the construction of an international tourism and leisure resort.