New Delhi: Chinese badminton player He Bing Jiao on Monday showed a special gesture for rival Carolina Marin during the medal ceremony of women’s singles of the Paris Olympics 2024 at the Arena Porte de La Chapelle. The 27-year-old Bing Jiao settled for a silver medal after straight games defeat to South Korea’s An Se Young 13-21, 16-21 in the gold medal match.
At the medal ceremony, He Bing Jiao was spotted carrying a Spanish Olympic pin as a matter of paying tribute to rival Carolina Marin. The 2016 Olympic gold medallist retired from her semifinal clash against the Chinese shuttler after she collapsed midway through the second game with her knee left in distressful pain.
The Spaniard resumed but couldn’t continue for longer period on the court as she went down the court again with the pain intensifying further, eventually leading the 31-year-old to limp out of the arena with tears in her eyes. Marin won the first game 21-14 against He and was leading 10-6 in the second.
He Bing Jiao’s gesture to hold the Spain Olympic pin on the podium was lauded by fans across the globe. The Spanish Olympic Committee (SOC) was among the firsts to react to the move.
“Olympic spirit at its finest!He Bing Jiao, the player against whom @carolinamarín was injured, received her medal today with a COE pin in tribute to Carolina. Great detail,” the tweet from Comite Olimpico Espanol read.
👏 ¡Espíritu olímpico en su máxima expresión!
🤝 He Bing Jiao, la jugadora contra la que se lesionó @carolinamarín, recibió hoy su medalla con un pin del COE en homenaje a Carolina.
🥰 ¡Gran detalle, 谢谢你！
📸 Getty Images#ElCorazónDeEspaña ❤️🇪🇸 #Paris2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/6OXT8WQUJ7
— Comité Olímpico Español (@COE_es) August 5, 2024
Super wholesome, this :’)
He Bing Jiao holds up a tiny Spain pin, in honour of Carolina Marin, while accepting her silver medal 🥈
Marin withdrew from her SF vs Jiao after injuring her knee and Jiao did this to honour her today :’)#Paris2024 | #Olympics pic.twitter.com/uOqz072sQF
— Shyam Vasudevan (@JesuisShyam) August 5, 2024
It’s been a tough day for the most part… so seeing this feels a little heartwarming. He Bing Jiao, who reached the singles final after Carolina Marin’s injury, holds up a Spanish pin on the podium.
Badminton ❤️
📸 Hamad I Mohammed / Reuters pic.twitter.com/KfAUrHyOh7
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) August 5, 2024
He Bing Jiao cried for Marin after their semifinal
The Chinese shuttler was seen shedding tears for her opponent as she walked off the match, conceding a walk-over. The two-time Uber Cup champion He said no athletes should go through such level of difficulty.
“I really don’t want to see this kind of thing happen. Marin even cheered me on in the end, telling me to play well in the final,” she said.
He Bing Jiao defeated ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu 21-19, 21-14 in the Round of 16 to end the 29-year-old’s quest for a third Olympic medal.
Chinese badminton player He Bing Jiao on Monday showed a special gesture for rival Carolina Marin during the medal ceremony of women’s singles of the Paris Olympics 2024 at the Arena Porte de La Chapelle. Badminton Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
