Great leaps forward

"Despite uncertainties and struggles during Tokyo 2020's pandemic-enforced delay, Chinese athletes have delivered on their targets in Tokyo, improving on the delegation's performances at the last Games in 2016," read a statement released by the Chinese Olympic Committee on Sunday.

"More importantly, the confident and diverse images of Chinese athletes, with or without golds around their necks, have presented the young face of the country in a modern light."

Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, heaped praise on the performance of Chinese athletes in an interview with China Central Television.

"I think the Chinese people can be very proud of their athletes, of what they have achieved so far. I've witnessed some of the gold medals," said Bach, an Olympic champion in fencing at the 1976 Games.