Source: CCTV
The Hangzhou Asian Games made athletes from all over the world feel the friendliness and enthusiasm of China. Syrian boxer Ahmed Guzon has been to China three times. At this Asian Games, he gained new touches and may have made an Asian Games wish.
At the opening ceremony of the Hangzhou Asian Games, Ahmed Gusson appeared as the flag bearer of the Syrian sports delegation, and he still heard the cheers that broke out from the audience. At that time, he stood in the center of the venue, unwilling to leave for a long time, waving the Syrian flag high to salute the audience.
Syrian athlete Ahmed Gousson: When I hear the cheers, I feel the friendliness and warmth of the Chinese people. When I got to center stage, I was really excited and very warm. The crisis in Syria has been going on for more than a decade, and the moment I wave the flag, I hope to let the world see the smiling faces of Syrians.
Gusong, who aspires to medals, has six brothers in the family who are boxers, while his father serves as their coach. Due to years of war and economic blockade, poor training facilities and other problems are the realities that Syrian athletes have faced for more than a decade. Their training facilities often have only one hour of electricity every five hours, and despite the difficult conditions, Guzon and other Syrian athletes have never given up on the dream of standing on the Asian Games.
Syrian athlete Ahmed Guzon: We sometimes face shells, armed men, and we are still staying the course, competing in all kinds of competitions, and we have been doing so for 12 years. But now, we are much better.
Umar, head of the Syrian sports delegation: Each of us hopes that every appearance on the international stage will tell the world that we are a peace-loving people. Despite the suffering, we Syrians are very tenacious. Syrians have the ability to hold on to our own dreams and to do everything we can to them.
At this year's Asian Games, a total of eight Syrian athletes competed in boxing, wrestling, athletics, weightlifting and equestrian sports. Gu Song, his father, and three brothers also came to Hangzhou together, and this was not their first time in China. In 2010, Gusong's brother won a medal in boxing at the Guangzhou Asian Games. Since then, Gusong has also come to China twice since 2016. While realizing China's dream, Gusong is harvesting warmth.
Syrian athlete Ahmed Gousson: This is my third time competing in China. As I walk down the street, I can see a lot of people greeting me and welcoming us here. And once we needed help, a lot of people came to help us. Coming here is like coming home, and everywhere is so clean and beautiful, the venues are also the best venues I have ever seen, thank you China for bringing such a wonderful Asian Games to Asia.