Paris Olympics’ top 5 heartwarming moments: Pan Zhanle, Biles and rappers paying rent

Spain's Carolina Marin is comforted by her coach Fernando Rivas after conceding her women's singles badminton semi-final against China's He Bingjiao. Photo: AFP

• Amid the scraps and the tussles, Paris also made us cheer for humanity itself with moments that transcended the results

The Olympic Games offer a platform for some of the world's most fierce competition, but amid the scraps and the tussles, Paris also made us cheer for humanity itself.

There were moments that transcended the results on score sheets and the shattered records.

Whether it was patriotic gestures or acts of sportsmanship, these five heartwarming moments in Paris will leave you with a smile on your face.

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Respect your rival

A gut-wrenching twist of fate transpired in the women's badminton singles semi-final match between He Bingjiao and Spain's Carolina Marin.

Just as Marin appeared to have the upper hand, a right knee injury cruelly ended her Olympic run as she hobbled off the floor.

He was thrust directly into the gold medal match, where she lost to South Korea's An Se-young.

But with a silver medal draped around her neck, China's world No 9 lifted a small Spanish flag badge - a tribute to her injured semi-final foe as she shared that she was "heartbroken" over Marin's misfortune.

It was a silver medal, but a golden gesture.

A bow from a legend, to a legend

This might have been the photo of Paris. Simone Biles and her up-and-coming American teammate Jordan Chiles bowed down to gold medallist Rebeca Andrade on a historic all-black gymnastics podium in the women's floor final.

Biles and Chiles, who at the time earned silver and bronze respectively, flanked Andrade on the podium as they got on one knee to welcome the 25-year-old Brazilian legend, who raised her arms on the top step.

And after the bow, Andrade reached for her American counterparts' hands - and cemented one of the most viral moments in Olympic history.

However, there was a sad postscript, with Chiles having to return her bronze after a successful appeal by Romania.

Flavour of the game

She qualified for the Paris Olympics, but could not afford her own rent.

Venting her frustration on X, NCAA discus champion Veronica Fraley revealed that her school contributed 75 per cent of her rent, while football players received enough to "buy new cars and homes".

Enter Flavor Flav, the iconic rapper and "Official Hype Man" of the United States water polo teams, who teamed up with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian to cover Fraley's rent and rally behind women in sports.

Fraley was a bronze medallist in the US Olympic Team Trials and two-time qualifier for the World Championships.

Big sisters, little sister

Zhou Yaqin was innocently stunned on the Olympic podium.

After China's 18-year-old gymnast landed a silver medal in the women's balance beam final, she seemed less accustomed to podium etiquette than Italy's Alice D'Amato and Manila Esposito.

As is Olympic tradition, D'Amato and Esposito bit their medals for a photo - a custom the Chinese gymnast appeared unfamiliar with.

She observed her counterparts and quickly followed their lead, affectionately raising her silver medal to her mouth.

The endearing moment warmed the hearts of millions, becoming a cherished gem in the annals of Olympic history

Freestyle and high-style

Pan Zhanle unleashed a stroke of genius in Paris - in and out of the pool.

After electrifying La Defense Arena with a 100 metres freestyle world record, the 19-year-old sensation embarked on his victory lap, where he then framed himself as a new kind of hero.

A fan amid his roaring crowd handed him a Chinese flag, eager for an autograph. Pan, ever mindful, declined saying, "I can't sign the flag", and offered a selfie instead.

Hailed for his "high EQ", Pan's respect for his national flag resonated across the internet.

He showed that true champions respect more than just the finish line.

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This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.

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