The 17-year-old Hongchan became an overnight sensation in China after the diver, who comes from a humble background, won her first Olympic gold in Tokyo in the women's 10m platform event. – Paris 2024
PARIS: China's Quan Hongchan was pleasantly surprised when her country's winter Olympics ski champion Eileen Gu showed up at her press conference, after Hongchan and teammate Chen Yuxin won the women's synchronised 10m platform event on Wednesday (July 31).
Hongchan told reporters Eileen was one of her idols at a press conference after the medal ceremony.
"She is so excellent and so beautiful," said Hongchan with a timid smile.
Her jaw dropped when Eileen, who won gold medals in Big Air and halfpipe as well as a silver in slopestyle in the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022, walked up to the stage to say congratulations.
"Your sport is more scary than ours," Hongchan told Eileen as they were comparing notes about their Olympic experience.
Eileen was among the spectators cheering for the Chinese pair in Wednesday's competition.
"It was my first time meeting them," Eileen told reporters.
"I do winter sports so it is an eye-opening experience for me as well to be able to talk to summer Olympic athletes and learn from them."
The 17-year-old Hongchan became an overnight sensation in China after the diver, who comes from a humble background, won her first Olympic gold in Tokyo in the women's 10m platform event.
The short-haired diver's brevity and timidness in answering questions did not make her any less of a media darling than Eileen, who was born in the United States but has taken China by storm with her Olympic wins along with her confidence and exuberance in media interviews and sponsor advertisements.
"When will I see you again?" an excited Hongchan asked as Eileen went up to take photos with her and teammate Yuxin.
The answer could not be heard as photographers swamped over to snap the moment. – Reuters
