The 2024 season has come to a close, and during this period, China's sports industry has flourished, achieving remarkable accomplishments. Notably, at the Paris Olympics, China tied with the United States for the most gold medals, setting a new record for the best performance in an overseas Olympic Games. These achievements are the result of the hard work and dedication of Chinese athletes. Recently, the top ten international athletes of 2024 were announced, but surprisingly, Ma Long, the legendary star of the national table tennis team, did not make the list, with only one Chinese athlete being selected.
The athlete who made the list is Zheng Qinwen, which sparked heated discussions among netizens. Some questioned why Ma Long, as a key player for the national table tennis team, failed to make the top ten athletes list. This raises questions about whether the selection criteria are based on athletic ability or influence, and what exactly are the standards for international sports awards?
Let's take a closer look at the overall performance of both athletes in the 2024 season. Zheng Qinwen reached the finals of six different levels of women's tennis events in 2024, winning three championships and finishing second in three others. Her world ranking reached a new high, placing fifth. Especially at the Paris Olympics, she won the women's singles championship, becoming the first Asian athlete to achieve this honor and creating history.
In terms of commercial achievements, Zheng Qinwen earned a staggering $30 million in the 2024 season, making her the highest-paid female athlete globally. Tennis is a mainstream sport worldwide, with significant influence and attention. Zheng Qinwen's success not only caused a sensation in the sports world but also demonstrated her immense potential in the business realm, making her a role model for female athletes in the new era. Therefore, it is fitting that Zheng Qinwen topped the list of the top ten international athletes.
As for Ma Long, although he is a legendary figure in the world of table tennis, having achieved the feat of a double Grand Slam in his career, the 36-year-old continues to be active on the table tennis court, inspiring generation after generation of young players. At the Paris Olympics, Ma Long once again won a gold medal, becoming the Olympic six-gold king. His honors in the world of table tennis are unparalleled.
However, it should be noted that table tennis is a niche sport with limited influence and attention in the global sports arena. Additionally, Ma Long's achievements were not all attained in 2024. Even though he won another Olympic gold medal in 2024, his influence was not enough to enter the top ten international athletes list.
Similarly, despite breaking the world record in the men's 100m freestyle at the Paris Olympics and leading the Chinese men's swimming team to win the gold medal in the men's 4x100m relay, breaking the long-term dominance of the United States in this event, Pan Zhanle did not make the top ten international athletes list. Quan Hongchan, who won both the women's 10m platform individual and synchronized titles at the Paris Olympics, becoming the youngest triple crown winner in Olympic history, also failed to make the list. Therefore, it is not surprising that Ma Long did not make the list of the top ten international athletes.