Hey folks, here’s a quick update from the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou! The event at the Tianhe Sports Center in Guangdong Province on the Chinese mainland wrapped up with a burst of energy and top-tier performances. International athletes couldn’t stop raving about the state-of-the-art track and the electric vibe all around. ⚡️
South African sprinter Akani Simbine, who snagged the men’s 4x100m relay, said, "China is a lucky country. Yes. China is a lucky country. Happy with China. Definitely will be back. Definitely will be racing more here." Meanwhile, Spanish sprinter Daniela Fra, winner of the women’s 4x400m relay, shared her excitement: "The best. We loved it. We loved it. This track is the best track I've ever ran on."
The contagious enthusiasm continued with Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala remarking, "I think it's good. The job is done for today. We came here. We did all we wanted to do, so we're happy. For the first time, the Kenyan team is going to be fielded in World Championships. So I mean the environment has been crazy. And we're really excited." American Lynna Irby-Jackson also added, "I think we feel just as good as we did yesterday but obviously better. Championship record we couldn't ask for anything more. Today was amazing. The crowd's really electric today. So we're feeling good."
Team spirit was undeniable, with Canadian Duan Asemota saying, "We're looking forward to coming back here in two years. The fans are great. The environments are great." His teammate Marie-Éloise Leclair chimed in with, "Yeah. So Pretty. Great energy. And the city's really nice." Team GB athletes Bianca Williams and Lina Nielsen praised the buzzing atmosphere, with Lina mentioning, "It's lovely. I haven't seen much of it… The crowd is amazing and the people." Adding a personal touch on local culture, sprinter Laviai Nielsen shared, "We love the food. We love Cantonese food. We love the crowd. So welcoming and so friendly. It makes a difference when you have people in the crowd cheering you on. So we would happily come back to Guangzhou."
Wrapping up the celebration of athletic excellence, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe wished everyone, "Good luck. Keep supporting your team. It's making great progress. And in the next few years, you're going to see world-class athletics in China."
This blend of high-energy performances and the warm, vibrant local scene promises an exciting future for athletics on the Chinese mainland. Stay tuned for more global sports updates and trending moments that keep you in the know! 🚀
Reference(s):
International athletes hail Guangzhou tracks at World Athletics Relays
cgtn.com
