On February 4, at the beginning of spring, with New Year’s spirit of revival and vibrance, the Olympic flame was lit in Beijing once more. As the world watched, the XXIV Olympic Winter Games opened in Beijing. Nearly 3,000 athletes from 91 countries and regions participated in the event. The Beijing Winter Olympics has provided an important window for the world to understand China and promoted exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

Olympic spirit

The Beijing Winter Olympics embodies the Olympic spirit and promotes exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese civilization and other civilizations in the world.

Danilo Türk, former president of Slovenia, said that “We must never forget that Winter Olympics are a sporting event: They are an event of the athletes, by the athletes and for the athletes. I am a fan of winter sports, in particular skiing—both Alpine and Nordic—and I am following the preparations of the athletes attentively. I hear the statements of these young people who describe the Beijing Winter Olympics as the most important event, for many the most important event in life. The power of the will of athletes demonstrates the unparalleled power of the Olympic spirit, encapsulated in the slogan ‘faster, higher, stronger—together.’”

Türk believes that the fundamental value of sports is in recognizing efforts for unparalleled achievement, objectively measured by time, length, or score. This effort is carried out through participation, fair play, and mutual respect and understanding among the participants who come from all corners of the world. All this creates a sense of belonging to a community with a shared future for mankind. Athletes are true representatives of this concept, based on respect for all cultures and traditions, competing fairly. Their achievements are measured objectively, but their spirit is invaluable.

Civilization exchanges

Holding the Beijing Winter Olympics has not only promoted exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations, but also directly led 300 million Chinese people to actively participate in winter sports and promoted the development of global winter sports. Türk believes that the Beijing Winter Olympics will facilitate civilization exchanges in multiple ways. The Beijing Winter Olympics not only demonstrates the power of sports, but also the quality of organization. Furthermore, as images from the Beijing Winter Olympics are watched in all parts of the world, winter sports will expand in China as well.

At the opening ceremony, five interlocked rings “breaking the ice” highlighted this era’s call to break estrangement, integrate, and work together towards the future. The Guardian called the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics a promising start. 19 world renowned songs accompanied athletes’ debuts, to show respect for different civilizations.

A giant snowflake composed of many tessellated snowflakes representing every participating country and region, embodied the idea of promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, called for the world to “give peace a chance.” Bach contended that we live in a fragile world where divisions, conflicts, and suspicions are escalating. We want to prove to the world that competitors can coexist peacefully and respect each other. This is the mission of the Olympic Games. It enables people to unite in peaceful competition. The Olympic Games is a bridge for communication. The Games unite us while maintaining our diversity.