Mainland Olympians wrap up visit to Macao

Delegation of Chinese mainland Olympians concluded their four-day visit to the Macao Special Administrative Region Thursday amid a farewell ceremony held by local people.

The 64-member delegation includes 42 Rio Olympic gold medalists, coaches and badminton player Lin Dan, sprint athlete Su Bingtian as well as Fu Yuanhui, the swimmer who has become an Internet buzz because of her funny expression and speech.

The delegation feel the enthusiasm and affection of Macao compatriots, Liu Peng, director of China's General Administration of Sport, had said earlier. He believed that the mainland and Macao will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in sports and various fields.

During their stay, the elite athletes showed their artistic talents in a gala attended by 4,500 local audience at Macao East Asian Games Dome.

They also demonstrated their world-class sports skills and contested with local youngsters during a friendly game at Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion.

Apart from sports activities, they made trips to community organizations, service agencies for elderly and mentally handicapped, and nurseries.

A local resident told Xinhua that she has been waiting throughout the night to say goodbye to the athletes. "But I am really reluctant to let them go," she said.

Kam, a teacher with Macao Pooi To Middle School, said his student Chau Man Ho, also a young swimmer, had a chance to communicate with his idol Sun Yang face-to-face and was greatly encouraged.

In Rio Olympic Games, the Chinese delegation won 26 gold, 18 silver and 26 bronze medals. Chinese athletes set five world records and 12 Olympic records and also won the first gold medal for China in bicycle and men's taekwondo. Endit