Olympians’ Bittersweet 40-Year-Old Relationship Turns Into Rivalry At “2024 Paris Olympics”
The Olympics are where some of the best athletes in the world meet to compete against each other, and due to the nature of competition, many from other nations naturally form friendly rivalries with each other.
The 2024 Paris Olympics saw a bittersweet moment happen for two athletes who previously were on the same team.
As seen from the results of the table tennis events at this year’s games, it is easy to see that China is a force in the sport, winning more medals than any other country so far.
61-year-old Ni Xialian was born in Shanghai but has represented Luxembourg during multiple games since 2008, one of the oldest Olympians to compete across all events. She joined China’s national team as a teenager and competed in several World Championships before moving to Luxembourg.
Table Tennis was not added to the Olympics as a sport until 1988, and she did not make the team before she left the country in 1989, meaning she was never able to represent China at the Olympic level.
She originally did not intend to compete at this year’s games but was convinced to try for the team. At the games, she ran into someone from her past who was achieving their own goal.
Zeng Zhiying is a 51-year-old from China who currently resides in Chile. Before moving in 1989, Zeng was a teammate of Ni on China’s national team.
Zeng originally moved to Chile to coach children there and did not compete again until 2003, retiring again in 2005. After returning to playing during the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked her way up the ranks, making the national team.
She was able to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking her first ever Olympic appearance.
This meant that just around 40 years after competing on the same team, Ni and Zeng were rivals representing different countries. Ultimately, the two did not meet at the table, with Zeng being knocked out during the preliminary round and Ni losing during the third.
The pair were able to reconnect at the games, however, finally as Olympians!
These ladies prove is never too late to make your dreams come true!
