Olympic dream come true

Zeng Zhiying, at 58, fulfilled her Olympic dream by competing for Chile, having previously represented China before a 30-year hiatus from the sport. Despite losing her match against Lebanon's Mariana Sahakian, Zeng expressed satisfaction in her achievement, hoping to continue competing even for the next Olympics. Meanwhile, Sydney Conley Elliott, a member of the U.S. Eventing Team, found herself elevated to the competition after a rider withdrawal, celebrating her Olympic status regardless of her participation. Cyprus high jumper Maria Kulichenko also marked a significant season, winning an NCAA title and qualifying for the Olympics while being selected as a flag bearer. In soccer, Liel Abada represented Israel in its first Olympic appearance since 1976, overcoming past challenges in Scotland to embrace the moment amidst mixed crowd reactions. Each athlete's journey highlights personal triumphs and the broader significance of Olympic participation amid global challenges.