China Welcomes Back Their Table Tennis Heroes (Photos)

This afternoon, 13:40hrs Beijing time, the Chinese table tennis team, along with the Chinese women volleyball team, arrived in the Beijing International Airport through flight CA938. It was a victorious homecoming for the table tennis team who has successfully repeated a clean sweep of all four Olympic gold medals. 

The first who was seen was the Men Team head coach Liu Guoliang who was followed by Guo Yue, Ding Ning and Wang Hao, and the rest of the Chinese table tennis team. As for the new Olympic champions, Zhang Jike and Li Xiaoxia were not seen in the arrivals with their teammates. 

It was determined that Zhang Jike and Li Xiaoxia had to extend their stay in London to participate in the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony which will take place on August 12, 21:00 British local time.  

Among the Chinese stars who arrived today, it seemed that Wang Hao was the most popular. He was surrounded with a lot of media and fans as well. He even had to spend more time in the airport just to give autographs and photos to his ever supportive fans. This just proved that despite losing the Olympic gold, Wang Hao has indeed won the gold in the hearts of the Chinese people. 

Before leaving the airport, a group of fans shouted in unison, "Wang Hao, Jiayou! (Wang Hao, go on!)" This is to encourage Wang Hao to continue fighting and not give up on his dreams.  

The head coach Liu Guoliang indeed looked tired but still accepted the interviews from the media. "This Olympic Games did not leave any trace of regret. Everyone showed their best levels. At least everyone has a gold medal hanging on their necks going home. This is the very thing that I am most proud of. The results are impeccable. The performance was perfect. As for the process, it was hard as our Chinese table tennis team is duty-bound!" Liu Guoliang concluded. 

Photo source: sports.sohu.com