‘Swim a Rainbow’ and ‘Meaningful Tour’, two events in the Gold Medallists Visit Macao series co-organised by the Sports and Olympic Committee of Macau, China and the Macau Sport Development Board of the Macau S.A.R. Government, were held from 6th - 9th October and 13th - 14th December in Macao.
The event entitled ‘Swim a Rainbow’ invited Chinese Olympic swimming gold medallists Sun Yang, Ye Shiwen and Luo Xuejuan; coaches Zhang Yadong and Xu Guoyi; Liu Xia and Wu Le’en, Zhao Weiwen, Chen Ning, among others, to visit Macao for exchange and activities.
The climax of the event was the ‘800 Metre Freestyle Exchange Competition’, in which Olympic gold medallist Sun Yang alone competed with two relay teams formed by 16 outstanding Macao swimmers, while Ye Shiwen competed with two relay teams formed by 8 outstanding Macao swimmers in the ‘400 Metre Medley Exchange Competition’ with four styles of Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle.
During their visit to Macao, the gold medallists visited a number of schools in Macao, sharing their experiences with students. They also visited an orphanage, a home for the elderly and an association for the disabled.
The ‘Meaningful Tour’ activity invited ‘Prince of Gymnastics’ Li Ning, prominent diver Zhou Jihong, stylish gymnast Li Xiaopeng, beautiful gymnast Liu Xuan, diving princess Wu Minxia, promising diving talent He Chong, as well as prestigious table tennis players Ma Long and Ding Ning to visit Macao.
During their tour in Macao, apart from participating in Walk for a Million, the athletes visited two schools and closely interacted with teachers and students to propagate sportsmanship in Olympic Games. They encouraged Macao youth to be attentive to and participate in sports since it can help them establish a healthy and positive outlook on life and values. They were warmly received wherever they went.
Mr.Ma Chi Seng, Head of the Youth Committee of Sports and the Olympic Committee of Macau, said that the visit and exchange activities of Chinese Olympic gold medallists in Macao can encourage more residents to pay attention to, support and participate in sports. Meanwhile, he hoped that the exchange activities could introduce a positive Olympic spirit and ideas of diligence and healthy growth to Macao youth.
