On June 26th, the event "500-Day Countdown to the 15th National Games, Get Together in Guangzhou: China-Italy Sports Culture Exchange Sharing Session" was held in Guangzhou, the millennium-old commercial hub and starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. Guests from China and Italy shared touching stories of sports and cultural exchanges between the two countries, expressing their anticipation for the National Games 2025 co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.

At the event, Cai Qizi, champion of the 29th and 31st Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships, reflected emotionally on her athletic career.

"Looking back, I am very grateful to our country for providing the best equipment and support for athletes," Cai Qizi said.

She believes that sports act as a bridge connecting different countries and cultures. Through sports exchanges, techniques and experiences can be shared. More importantly, friendships and respect can be cultivated. She is confident such exchanges will promote understanding and peace, fostering cultural exchanges and mutual understanding.

Discussing the upcoming National Games, Cai Qizi conveyed her blessings and wishes: "With excitement, I look forward to athletes from across the country enjoying the culinary feast of Guangzhou and competing at their best, bringing spectacular performances to the audience."

At the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Italy, as the host of the next Winter Olympics, delivered an impressive 8-minute performance. One of the performers, Marika Ayana, was also invited to the 500-day countdown event, where she held a concert at the Guangzhou Opera House. She expressed her great expectations for the art and sports exchanges between China and Italy and wished for the success of the 2025 National Games.

Regarding the National Games, Marika Ayana said, "Today, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the life of Guangzhou. It was wonderful! I hope to learn more Chinese words during the National Games beyond 'thank you' to express my feelings."

At the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, race walkers Zhang Jun and Qieyang Shijie won gold medals. Their former physical coach, Angelo Pavia from Italy, was even more excited than they were. Transitioning from a sports traveler like "Marco Polo" to a son-in-law in a Guangzhou family, Angelo Pavia expressed his gratitude for what sports have taught him and the children: perseverance, commitment, and resilience in the face of defeat.

De Parolis, Consul General of Italy in Guangzhou, said he was pleased to see the China-Italy Sports Culture Exchange Sharing Session become a platform for friendly exchanges among people from various sectors of China and Italy. He hoped everyone would cherish the opportunity for dialogue, promote cross-cultural exchanges, and jointly embrace a diverse and peaceful world.

Source :Yangcheng Evening News

十五运倒计时500天！蹦床世界冠军蔡琪子、意大利歌手玛丽卡·阿雅娜分享走心故事

6月26日，“十五运会倒计时500天 相聚在广州——中意体育文化交流故事会”在海上丝绸之路的起点、千年商都——广州精彩呈现，来自中国和意大利的嘉宾分享两国体育交往、文化交流的动人故事，共同期盼2025粤港澳全运会的到来。

活动现场，第29届、第31届世界蹦床锦标赛冠军蔡琪子回忆起自己的运动生涯依然动容。

蔡琪子说：“回首过去，我非常感恩我们的国家，是国家为我们运动员提供了一切最好的设备和保障。”

她认为，体育是一座桥梁，链接着不同国家与文化，通过体育交流，不仅可以分享技巧和经验，更重要的是分享友谊和尊重。她相信这种交流能够促进理解与和平，推动各国文化互鉴，民心相通。

最后，谈到十五运，蔡琪子送上祝福与祝愿：“我怀着激动的心情，期待来自全国的运动员们都能品尝到我们的广州美食盛宴，同时在赛场上赛出自己的水平、赛出自己的风格，为我们观众带来一场场精彩绝伦的比赛。”

在北京冬奥会闭幕式上，意大利作为下一届冬奥会的举办国，贡献的8分钟精彩展演给人留下深刻的印象。参演者之一、意大利女歌手玛丽卡·阿雅娜也受邀参加了本次倒计时500天活动，并在广州大剧院举办音乐会。她对于中国和意大利两国在艺术和体育方面的交流抱有美好的期许，并预祝2025年粤港澳全运会顺利举办。

对于十五运，玛丽卡·阿雅娜直言非常期待：“我今天有机会深入到广州的城市生活当中来，这种感觉太美妙了！当十五运召开的时候，我希望我能够多学一些中文，能够说比‘谢谢’更多的中文词语，来表达我的心情。”

在2023年杭州亚运会的赛场上，竞走运动员张俊、切阳什姐夺冠后，有一个人比他们俩还激动，这个人就是张俊、切阳什姐的前体能教练——意大利人安吉洛·帕维亚（Angelo Pavia）。从体育界的旅行家“马可·波罗”转变为广州女婿，安吉洛·帕维亚感谢体育教会了他和孩子们什么是坚韧不拔，全心投入，败而不馁。

意大利驻广州总领事馆总领事德派罗表示，很高兴看到中意体育文化交流故事会能够成为让中意各行各业人士友好交流的平台，希望大家能珍惜对话机会，促进跨文化交流，共同拥抱多元、和平的世界。

文丨记者 艾修煜
图丨十五运会和残特奥会广州赛区执委会
译 | 郑圣浩