National tide shines at Xi’an Diving World Cup_Guangming.com

Xinhua News Agency, Xi’an, April 22 (Reporters Yao Youming, Zhou Xin, Li Jia) The FINA Diving World Cup Finals concluded on the 21st, and Xi’an left a profound “national trend mark” in the minds of athletes and officials from all over the world.

On the 17th, the ancient city of Xi’an welcomed diving elites and team coaches and officials from 15 countries and regions around the world with an antique entry ceremony called “Dream Chang’an Datang Welcome Ceremony”. As the suspension bridge at the city gate slowly lowered, more than 140 athletes and coaches slowly walked into Yongning Gate and watched a grand performance of Tang Dynasty style and Tang Yun in the barbican.

“This performance is very good. The dance and cultural concepts in the show are very exciting. The story is also beautiful and very sophisticated. Xi’an is a beautiful city. In terms of architecture, historical and modern elements complement each other here, which left a deep impression on me. Impression.” said diver Jaxon Boucher from Australia.

At the opening ceremony, the event organizing committee made an ingenious move by covering the swimming pool with a white cloth made of special materials, and using projection to project images of Xi’an monuments such as the Bell Tower and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda on the swimming pool. Subsequently, along with the impassioned singing of the colorful-faced actors, many Qin Opera performers standing by the swimming pool and leaning against the flag neatly beat the war drums. The simple, heroic, loyal and patriotic sentiments of the Qin people were presented to the world through the stage by the swimming pool.

During the competition, the organizing committee planned a wealth of traditional Chinese cultural experience activities at the athletes’ hotels, which were warmly welcomed by everyone. A stall owner who displays and sells shadow puppets said that in just two hours on the 20th, the store’s book turnover exceeded 400 yuan.

Maura Flynn, the strength and conditioning coach of the U.S. diving team, stopped for a while in front of a booth promoting the art of Chinese calligraphy and then began learning to write Chinese characters with a brush. She asked others for advice on how to write her zodiac sign. Although this year was not the Year of the Rabbit, she still wrote the words “Good luck in the Year of the Rabbit” one stroke at a time.

“I am very happy to experience a new culture here. Learning calligraphy is cool but also difficult. There are many strokes in Chinese characters, but it is very interesting. I am very happy to learn something here,” Flynn said.

Last year, Xi’an hosted the FINA Diving World Cup. At the post-game awards ceremony, a plush mascot in the shape of a terracotta warrior and horse was awarded along with the medals, which was highly sought after by foreign (regional) athletes and technical officials. This year, the mascot is “Tang Niu”, which is based on the female figurines of the Tang Dynasty. She has a high bun with Emei eyebrows, a face like a full moon, a plump body, wearing a long skirt with wide sleeves, a cute and naive attitude, and full of joy.

On April 21, Quan Hongchan (left) and Spendolini Sirier took a group photo after the award ceremony. On that day, in the women’s 10-meter platform finals of the 2024 Diving World Cup Finals, Chinese players Chen Yuxi and Quan Hongchan won the championship and runner-up respectively, and British player Spendolini Sirier won the third runner-up.Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Bowen

“I like ‘Tang Niu’ very much. She is very cute and full of traditional cultural elements. Now I have another plush doll collection.” Olympic champion Quan Hongchan said. The reporter found that there were more than 30 plush dolls of various kinds hanging on her backpack.

Also in love with “Tang Niu” is British player Pendolini Sirier. She said that the design of “Tang Niu” pays great attention to details. “The mascots designed by Xi’an have never let me down.”

Australian athlete Gini is good friends with Chinese divers Chen Yiwen and Chang Yani. On the podium, Gini showed a T-shirt with photos of the two Chinese athletes given to her by Chen Yiwen. After the show, she had even planned a “shopping and eating” trip in Xi’an for the past two days.

On April 20, third-place Australian player Madison Keeney showed off clothing with images of her friends, Chinese divers Chen Yiwen and Chang Yani, after the award ceremony.Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Yibo

Jini said: “I found that many girls in Xi’an are wearing the same style of clothes as Tang Niu. After the competition is over, I also want to find an opportunity to experience the feeling of wearing Hanfu.”

Mexican men’s rising springboard star Olvera Ibarra also started his “Terracotta Warriors Tour” the day after the springboard competition.

Marlowe, director of the FINA diving project, said: “I came to Xi’an to compete in 2008 and visited the Terracotta Warriors, which left me with wonderful memories. I know that Xi’an’s ability to organize competitions is impeccable. Xi’an has given us so much support, so much Much love. On behalf of all the athletes, coaches and officials of the World Swimming Federation, I want to say thank you to Xi’an!”

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责编：刘希尧 ]