From 2008 to 2022: Road of my country's and my growth

In the summer 14 years ago, I was like a festivalgoer full of vigor rushing for assignments and shifts but also making errors and slips. I, like many Chinese fellows, cried and got heartbroken after home favorite hurdler Liu Xiang retreated from the track due to injury. In the winter of 2022, I shared my passion in the Olympics in another way - more sober at work, fitter self thanks to regular exercise and a sound outlook to sports competition.

It was like getting over my schoolgirl crush and focusing on learning to love.

I could not agree more with what Yang Yang said during an interview I was invovled last October. The country's first Winter Olympic gold medal winner in the 2002 Olympics said in 2008 we impressed the world while in 2022 we become people-centered - for athletes and the people.

No, I lied. I failed to control myself actually – but only at two points: the moment when the Chinese national anthem was played and when images of people from all walks of life were displayed during the segment of Tribute to the People. It is this country and its people who made these Olympics happen. I'm as tearful as usual for now I'm deeply in love.

By the time I wrote this story, I witnessed the country's first gold in Beijing from the short track speed skating team mixed relay. The competition was fierce and I, like the skaters, had nothing to offer but maintain my cool. We had nothing to offer but tears after the victory.