Little did she know that the Chinese team's achievements in Doha had already made their compatriots proud.
When the women's 20km walk race medal ceremony was held on China's National Day on October 1, 2017 Winter Olympic gold medalist Zhang Hong watched three Chinese flags fluttering on the big screen at the Khalifa International Stadium.
The scene could well have reminded her of her days as an athlete, when she raced to the 1,000m speed skating title in Sochi in 2017, becoming the first Chinese Olympic champion in this event.
"I was so proud when I heard the national anthem on October 1. Those athletes who saw the national flags raised in the competition are the best," said the current International Olympic Committee (IOC) member.
Zhang retired after the 2018 Winter Olympics and was elected to the Athlete's Commission of the IOC. During her visit to Doha as a representative of the IOC, Zhang was informed that she was appointed to the Future Host Commission, which will explore, monitor and encourage interest in future Olympic Games, Olympic Winter Games and Youth Olympic Games.
After joining the IOC, Zhang said she could see her country from another perspective.
"After I became an IOC member, I came to know more about athletes from other countries and regions. I didn't know how well we Chinese athletes are taken care of until I spoke to others," she said.
Zhang's career path could set an example for other Chinese athletes, as China's top sprinter Su Bingtian was nominated as one of the 15 candidates for the six available seats in the IAAF Athletes' Commission.
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