China's Shi Zhiyong competes in the men's 73kg weightlifting event at his third Olympic Games in Paris, Aug. 8, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/ Sheng Jiapeng)

In the men's 73-kilogram weightlifting event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Shi Zhiyong, an athlete from Guilin, participated in his third Olympics. He secured first in the snatch category with a lift of 165 kg. However, he encountered challenges in the clean and jerk competition, failing to lift 191 kg in all three attempts.

After the competition, Shi shed tears, "I might have been a bit hasty on the first clean and jerk, felt a bit lost on the second attempt, and might have torn an adductor muscle on the third attempt. I heard a crisp sound."

Shi has been battling a back injury throughout the preparation period, stating that the Olympics have been his spiritual pillar. Now that the Olympics have ended, he may consider retirement. "I can't bear the torment of illness anymore. I did my best and didn't achieve the expected results, and I apologize to everyone."

Around 4 am Beijing time, netizens from all over the country flooded the comments section of Shi's Weibo account with encouraging messages, creating an endless stream of heartwarming replies.