“News Journey: Olympic Games Cool Down, Chinese Online Community Goes ‘Lying Flat’”

Hello everyone, welcome to the news program Five Men Walk. Today’s co-hosts are Tang Hao, Qin Peng, Lin Lan, Jin Shi, and I, Fu Yao. With our diverse perspectives and vibrant discussions, we will guide you into the rich world of news. Feel free to subscribe to and like our independent channel.

Today’s Highlights: The Chinese Olympic team came out with a unique “sole” purpose for their luxurious logistics operations! Are gold medals useless? Chinese netizens are more concerned about pork lard. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflicts in Russia, Ukraine, and Israel violate certain agreements. The Paris Olympics are off to a rough start with a fire on a French high-speed train. And here is a fun fact: some interesting requirements of the ancient Olympics.

The 2024 Paris Olympics officially ignited the flame on the 26th, breaking away from the tradition of indoor ceremonies by hosting it outdoors along the Seine River in Paris for the first time. This move may be reminiscent of recent years, where fashion brands like Chanel have held outdoor shows along the Seine. Teams from various countries made a grand entrance by cruising down the river, providing spectators with an extraordinary experience.

Currently, Paris has been placed under unprecedented security measures, resembling a “counter-terror fortress,” with areas cordoned off and strict controls in place.

However, on the day of the opening ceremony, several routes of the French high-speed train (TGV) were sabotaged by fires, affecting the travel plans of approximately 800,000 people. Two trains carrying athletes and participants for the opening ceremony had to be suspended.

Internationally, conflicts are escalating, with the ancient Greek concept of the “sacred truce” seemingly fading away. Despite appeals from French President Macron and Pope Francis for a temporary ceasefire, countries involved in conflicts like Russia, Ukraine, and Israel have not responded.

Coupled with the global economic downturn and changing social landscapes, people’s perspectives on watching the Olympics today may not be the same as before.

However, the quadrennial sports event remains a significant international occasion, originally established as a competition among the ancient Greek gods. Therefore, today on Five Men Walk, we will discuss the 2024 Paris Olympics and welcome your comments, sharing what special memories the Olympics bring to you.

Lin Lan, the Olympics are ultimately a sporting event, typically more appealing to men. Do you enjoy watching Olympic competitions? Do the women around you also enjoy watching them?

Tang Hao, combining Olympic sports with Chinese astrology must be intriguing, don’t you think?

Jin Shi, how do you feel about sports? Do you have a particular favorite discipline? What events of this Olympics will you pay close attention to?

Qin Peng, given your affinity for data, do you focus on statistical gold medal counts when watching the Olympics?

It’s so boring to treat me as a scorer, do I look like CCTV to you? When it comes to watching the Olympics, I enjoy three things the most: the host country’s introduction, the scenic beauties, and cultural highlights; the opening ceremony with its grand artistic performances and the unique torch lighting moment that blends art, technology, and sports, often leaving us in awe; and finally, I like to bring some snacks or drinks to enjoy specific competitions like swimming or athletics, experiencing the pinnacle of athleticism and surpassing limits.

Q2: Jin Shi, you seem to have a keen interest in sports. As someone who is not a sports enthusiast, what key points should I focus on about the Paris Olympics aside from the opening ceremony?

Q3: Lin Lan, are you aware of the distinctive arrangements made by the Chinese delegation this time? They brought their own chefs and air conditioners, showing a super luxurious style. Additionally, there have been several recent scandals in Chinese sports. Will this affect the competition?

Q4: Qin Peng, some say that the Chinese Communist Party values gold medal counts more than the Chinese people do. Is the number of gold medals really that important? Given the current circumstances, if there is a “rise in gold medals,” what practical effects will it have on Chinese society?

Q5: Tang Hao, let’s look at it from a different perspective. The Olympics have a long history and hosting them is a form of “worshipping the gods.” Despite the atheistic stance of the CCP, they still participate in the games, which seems quite absurd. Shouldn’t the participants renounce the CCP’s dogma before competing to make it more appropriate? Let’s delve into the history of the Olympics.

Q6: Jin Shi, the Olympics were once a competition between ancient city-states, and even during wars, they declared truces. Modern society is different now, and even calling for a “truce” may not work. Has the essence of the “Olympics” changed?

Q7: Tang Hao, how would you define the Olympic spirit?

Q8: Lin Lan and Qin Peng, while the phrase “It’s the taking part that counts” sounds light, competitions imply rivalry, which leads to winners and losers. What is the true meaning of the Olympics? Is it about winning glory or someone losing face?