Xi'An welcomes teams amidst Chinese New Year celebrations

XI'AN (China) - The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the 2024 Paris Olympics FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Xi'an, China, has gone above and beyond to welcome the WOQT participants and teams.

The LOC organized a series of activities to celebrate the Chinese New Year and immerse the players in the local culture.

The teams were treated to a traditional Chinese dumpling-making session, where they learned how to make and partake in the delicacy. They were also taught how to write Chinese spring couplets using Chinese calligraphy and how to do traditional Chinese paper-cutting. The players even got to participate in the traditional Yangko dance, a popular folk dance in China.

To further celebrate the Chinese New Year, the teams wrote their wishes on a New Year's wish card and hung them on the Wish Tree to bless the new year. The LOC will also have an immersive “Dream Back to Tang Dynasty” experience after the OQT ends. Here, the players can wear traditional Chinese clothing, watch a folk dance presentation, and taste Shaanxi specialty dishes such as "Rou Jia Mo" (Chinese hamburger) and "Liang Pi" (cold noodles) among others.

The LOC's efforts to welcome the teams have not gone unnoticed. The players have expressed their appreciation for the warm welcome and the opportunity to experience the local culture. The activities have also helped to foster a sense of camaraderie among the teams, as they bond over their shared experiences.

The LOC of the 2024 Paris Olympics FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Xi'an, China, has done an excellent job of welcoming the OQT participants and teams. The Chinese New Year celebrations and immersive cultural experiences have provided the players with a unique opportunity to learn about and appreciate the local culture. The activities have also helped to create a sense of unity among the teams, which have undoubtedly contributed to a successful tournament.

FIBA