Hechi native takes part in Winter Olympics opening ceremony

At the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics held on Feb 4, Hechi native Zhong Dailiang took part in the section where China's flag was passed hand to hand between the country's 56 official ethnic groups.

The representatives of the 56 ethnic groups are all students at Minzu University of China. Zhong represented the Mulam ethnic group.

Zhong poses for a photo with Bing Dwen Dwen at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. [Photo/Hechi Daily]

Zhong was born in Hechi's Luocheng Mulam autonomous county in 2000. "I feel that the cultural atmosphere of the Mulam ethnic group in Luocheng is very strong," he said. "Mulam clothing can be seen everywhere on the streets and Mulam snacks are sold everywhere. During traditional festivals, the various Mulam folk customs also deeply impressed me."

To become a representative of the Mulam ethnic group at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, Zhong had to pass an interview. In addition to using the internet and library resources to look up materials, he also consulted with his mother, as well as asked his grandmother to teach him a few Mulam phrases.

After two rounds of interviews for the director group of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, Zhong was successfully selected.

On Oct 2, 2021, Zhong and other 55 students representing 56 ethnic groups officially started a 126-day training camp.

In order not to delay the students' studies, the training camp is usually arranged on weekends. During the winter vacation in 2022, the rehearsal was arranged at least five days a week, and lasted from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Although picking up and passing a flag is a simple action, the director team trained the participants over and over again, striving for perfection.

"When I stood on the stage, I was very excited," Zhong said. "It embodies the respect and love of hundreds of millions of Chinese people for their motherland."

Zhong said that after participating in the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, he has strengthened his determination to study hard and serve the country. "I hope to contribute to my hometown's construction after I finish my studies," he said.