Beijing ready for Winter Olympics challenge

Memorable moments

Along with Team China's outstanding performance, there were a number of touching moments at the Tokyo Games.

The men's high jump ended in tears for Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy after they decided to share the gold medal.

The tears came in mid-evening on Aug 1 after the pair outjumped other competitors in the event, but could not better each other.

After they both failed all three attempts to clear the Olympic record height of 2.39 meters, the judges called them over.

They were given the chance of a jump-off to decide the gold medal winner. However, events took a surprise turn when Barshim asked,"Can we have two golds?"

Officials agreed. Tamberi then jumped into Barshim's arms and everyone in the stadium stood and applauded.

Barshim said after the event:"Everyone has been telling me what a historic moment it was. The impact is definitely huge."

Aram Mahmoud, from the refugee team, produced another unforgettable moment.

Through playing badminton, the 24-year-old hopes to eventually be reunited with his family in Syria, which he has not seen for six years. He considers taking part in the Tokyo Olympics to be one of the highlights of his life.

"When they announced my name－that I was in the team－it was one of my best moments," Mahmoud said.

Although he failed to reach the knockout round, Mahmoud is the perfect example of an athlete continuing to compete after being forced to leave his homeland.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, said, "Surviving war, persecution and the anxiety of exile already makes them (such competitors) extraordinary people, but the fact that they now also excel as athletes on the world stage fills me with immense pride."