One year ago, an image of a tearful soldier, Yan Zhen, during the national flag-raising ceremony at the opening of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games touched many people's hearts.
Yan was a member of the Honor Guard of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and bore China's national flag during the Winter Olympics' opening ceremony.
Yan is now instructing student flag bearers for the upcoming 31st International University Sports Federation (FISU) Summer World University Games. The event is set to begin on July 28 in Chengdu, in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
During their training, Yan shared with the volunteers his own preparation process for the Winter Olympics, revealing that he and his team underwent months of rigorous training.
A photo shows Yan Zhen (first from right) during training as a flag bearer before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. (Photo/CCTV News)
Yan practiced hanging the national flag more than 100 times daily, gradually decreasing his time from one minute and 30 seconds to less than 35 seconds.
The student volunteers will perform similar duties at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games. Yan expressed his hope that they would display commitment, unity, and teamwork, effectively representing Chinese university students on a global stage.
Volunteers who are set to raise flags at the award ceremonies of the 31st FISU Summer World University Games undergo training. (Photo from the website of the 31st FISU Summer World University Games)
"I told the student volunteers to stick to the training no matter how arduous it is. When they perform their flag-raising duties during the award ceremonies at the FISU World University Games, they will feel the glory and value of their work," Yan said.
Volunteers who are set to raise flags at the award ceremonies of the 31st FISU Summer World University Games undergo training. (Photo from the website of the 31st FISU Summer World University Games)
Saudi Arabia is going to sponsor the WTA women's tennis rankings under a new partnership
Britain's contentious plan to send some migrants to Rwanda hits a hurdle in Parliament
Tip leads to arrest in cold case killing of off
Arakan Army attacks another junta border outpost in western Myanmar — Radio Free Asia
Elon Musk gets approval from FDA to implant his Neuralink brain chip into a second patient
Regulators pleased Union Pacific is using fewer temporary shipping limits
Eye on the ball! King Felipe of Spain and King Willem
Eye on the ball! King Felipe of Spain and King Willem
Supreme Court rejects an appeal from a Canadian man once held at Guantanamo
Skeletal remains found at home in Illinois identified as those of woman missing since 2008
‘The Blue Angels,’ filmed for IMAX, puts viewers in the ‘box’ with the elite flying squad
Coco Gauff reaches Stuttgart quarterfinals with win over Vickery