Over 3,000 Spectators Attend National Gymnastics Team Olympic Trial
Around 3,200 spectators attended the 2021 Chinese National Gymnastics Championships to cheer for the athletes at the first national team Tokyo Olympic Games trial here on Thursday.
Wearing masks, showing health QR codes, the local audience enjoyed a high-level men's All-Around final night inside the Donganhu Sports Park.
World champion Xiao Ruoteng and other gymnasts also enjoyed the overwhelming plaudits from the spectators from start to end.
"I really hope that this stadium can be packed so I can be more encouraged by the audience," said Xiao who regained the men's individual All-Around national title with a total of 174.131 points, after waiting for three years.
Zhang Boheng from Hunan took silver with 173.328 and Lin Chaopan from Fujian won the bronze with 171.263.
"The audience here is very friendly and interactive. It's an unforgettable memory for me," said Zhang.
Chengdu local Jiang Huabo is a new gymnastics fan, who took his seven-year-old child here to watch the competition on site for the first time.
"I can imagine how much effort they put in to get to where they are now. It's very impressive to see what they can do - fly, tumble, jump, and so on," said Jiang who wishes his kid can learn the spirit of persistence from the athletes.
The 2021 Chinese National Gymnastics Championships will be held from May 4 to 9. According to the recent Tokyo Olympic Games qualification system published by the Chinese Gymnastics Association, the 2021 national championships will be the first qualification event. Two more trials will be held for both men's and women's teams in June and July.