Celebrating the Spirit of 'Wanting to Be Strong': Mengniu's China Night in Paris

Among the attendees was Eileen Gu, a Chinese-American freestyle skier who has become a symbol of the "wanting to be strong" spirit. Gu, also known as Gu Ailing in China, shared her story of overcoming obstacles and persevering in the face of adversity. "Champions are not just gold medal winners," she said. "The Olympic spirit belongs to everyone who strives to be strong."

The event also featured a ceremony where "blank awards" were presented to individuals who have demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience in their respective fields. The awards, which are empty cups, symbolize the idea that the pursuit of excellence is a never-ending journey.

Weibo users were quick to react to the event, with many praising the initiative and congratulating the awardees. "Congratulations to Eileen Gu and other awardees!" wrote @希望之光. "Their stories are inspiring and remind us that we all have the potential to be strong."

However, not everyone was pleased with the event. Some Weibo users criticized the organizers for using the event as a marketing ploy. "This is just a publicity stunt," wrote @不吃麦当劳. "Mengniu is just trying to sell more milk."

Others criticized the selection process for the awards, saying that it was unfair to single out certain individuals for recognition. "What about all the other people who are working hard and striving to be strong?" wrote @工人阶级. "Why don't they get any recognition?"

Despite these criticisms, the event seemed to have struck a chord with many Weibo users, who shared their own stories of perseverance and resilience. "I was inspired by Eileen Gu's story," wrote @看着你. "I've been struggling to find a job, but now I'm motivated to keep trying."

The event also sparked a wider conversation about the meaning of "wanting to be strong" and what it takes to achieve success. "Being strong is not just about winning or achieving success," wrote @哲理家. "It's about having the courage to keep going even when things get tough."

As one Weibo user noted, the event was a reminder that the Olympic spirit is not just about the athletes who compete in the Games, but about the values of perseverance, determination, and resilience that they embody. "The Olympics are not just about winning," wrote @奥运迷. "They're about the journey, the struggle, and the triumph over adversity."

The success of the event has sparked hopes that it will become an annual tradition, with Mengniu and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) planning to hold a "China Night" at every Olympics going forward. As the IOC President Thomas Bach said in his opening remarks, "The Olympic spirit belongs to everyone, not just champions."