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At the award ceremony for the women's singles badminton event at the Paris Olympics on the 5th, Chinese player He Bingjiao, who won the silver medal, stepped onto the podium holding a Spanish Olympic Committee badge. This move attracted the attention and praise of foreign media.

He Bingjiao holds the Spanish Olympic Committee badge at the Paris Olympics badminton women's singles medal ceremony. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ren Zhenglai, map by Tian Guangyu

When she walked onto the podium, He Bingjiao was holding something in her hand. During the group photo session with athletes after the flag-raising ceremony, He Bingjiao showed what she was holding in her hand - a badge of the Spanish Olympic Committee. She held the medal in one hand and the badge in the other.

At the press conference after the game, He Bingjiao explained the move: "The badge I took was given to me by the Spanish team. My semi-final opponent Marin had to withdraw due to injury. I feel sympathy for her because Marin is an outstanding athlete and opponent. I hope to carry her spirit into the final. I wish her a speedy recovery."

On the same day, the International Olympic Committee posted a photo of He Bingjiao holding a badge on its social account, and commented on the Chinese athlete's move that transcends competitive sports: "This is the meaning of Olympic values." The Spanish Olympic Committee posted a message to express its gratitude to He Bingjiao, believing that this move was "the best Olympic spirit."

Post on the International Olympic Committee’s social media account.

Many Spanish media reported on this. The Vanguard reported: "He Bingjiao couldn't help crying when she saw Marin's serious injury. She made a great move and carried a Spanish badge on the podium to show her support for Marin." The news website 20 Minutes reported: "In the past few hours, this small and beautiful tribute has spread all over the world on social networks, especially loved by Spanish fans." Spanish basketball star Pau Gasol said: "He Bingjiao's tribute to the injured Marin when receiving the medal is a beautiful gesture that embodies the Olympic spirit."

The 31-year-old Spanish star Marin won the women's singles gold medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016, but she suffered a serious injury and underwent two knee surgeries, missing the Tokyo Olympics. Marin, who has been plagued by injuries for many years, has recovered this year and won the All England Open and European Championships in succession. She came to Paris as the fourth seed and became a strong contender for the women's singles gold medal in this Olympics.

At the Paris Olympics, Marin played well and made it to the women's singles semifinals. In the semifinal against He Bingjiao, she won the first game and was leading in the second game when her right knee was injured again. Marin tried to return to the court wearing a knee brace, but the injury was serious and she had to withdraw from the game.

On August 4, Spanish athlete Marin (front) was unable to continue the competition due to injury. Chinese athlete He Bingjiao went forward to check on him. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jia Haocheng

After the semi-final, He Bingjiao burst into tears in the mixed interview area: "I really don't want to encounter such a thing. Ma Lin played very well today. Her state and desire to win are worth learning. Ma Lin told me to keep going in the final."

The knee is the "Achilles' heel" of badminton players. In this sport full of high-intensity reciprocating running, the knee is under tremendous pressure. Many badminton players are suffering from knee injuries or have bid farewell to the badminton court because of this.

Marin's story of overcoming knee injuries and returning to the top has inspired many athletes. Mexican men's singles athlete Garrido, who has undergone eight operations on both knees, said after his first match at the Paris Olympics that Marin's experience inspired him to return to the court after so many knee operations and fight for his dream of participating in the Olympics.

At the press conference after the women's singles award ceremony, new Olympic champion An Se-young, who was also suffering from a knee injury, also sent her blessings to Marin: "Marin is a great athlete, she is a legend. I have learned a lot from her. I am very sad that she is injured and can't continue to participate in the competition. I hope to compete with her again on the court."

Ma Lin posted on social media and gave special thanks to He Bingjiao.

Marin, who received many blessings, posted on social media on the 6th to thank all those who supported her, and especially thanked He Bingjiao. "I encouraged He Bingjiao to play well in the final, because this is the sportsmanship above all else. What she did on the podium was one of the cutest acts of support I have ever received, and I will always be grateful to her."

On the podium, under the reflection of the lights and amid the applause of the audience, the small badge in He Bingjiao's hand shone brightly, and the Olympic spirit, which is greater than victory, also shone brightly.

Source: Xinhua News Agency