In a touching display of sportsmanship at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, China's He Bingjiao melted hearts worldwide. When she stepped onto the podium to receive her silver medal in the women's singles badminton, she held a Spanish pin close to her heart. ❤️
\"This pin was given to me by Team Spain,\" He revealed at the press conference. \"My opponent in the semifinals, Carolina Marin, had to pull out of the match because of injury. I feel sympathetic because Marin is an outstanding athlete and opponent. I wanted to take her spirit with me to the final. I wish her a quick recovery.\"
The moment didn't go unnoticed. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) shared a photo of He on the podium on their Instagram account, praising her heartfelt gesture. 📸✨
\"He Bingjiao held the Team Spain pin during her medal ceremony in support for Carolina Marin, who suffered a knee injury yesterday in the semifinals,\" the IOC captioned.
Carolina Marin, the Spanish badminton star, responded with gratitude. \"I wished He Bingjiao all the best in the final, because sportsmanship was above all else,\" Marin stated on Tuesday. \"But the moment on the podium is one of the loveliest gestures anyone has ever made to me, and I will always be incredibly grateful to her.\" 🙏🇪🇸
The semifinal match was intense, with Marin taking the first game 21-14 and leading 10-5 in the second. However, a misstep led to a knee injury that forced her to withdraw. The crowd applauded as she bravely tried to continue but ultimately had to accept the situation. 😢
Gold medalist An Se-young of the Republic of Korea, herself no stranger to injuries, also sent her best wishes to Marin. \"Marin is a great athlete and a legend,\" An said. \"I've learned a lot from her. I feel so sad that she couldn't continue to play. I want to play her again on the court.\"
This heartwarming episode reminds us that the Olympic spirit isn't just about winning medals—it's about unity, respect, and friendship across borders. 🌍🤝
Reference(s):
He Bingjiao shows Olympic spirit by taking a Spanish pin to podium
cgtn.com
