As the sporting calendar draws to a close, Xinhua News Agency has selected the top 10 Chinese athletes/teams for 2024.

1. Ma Long (male, table tennis)

Ma helped China secure the table tennis men's team gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, becoming China's most decorated Olympian with six gold medals. He was also a flagbearer of the Chinese delegation at the Games' opening ceremony. In late October, Ma received the Outstanding Sporting Career Award from the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) in recognition of his remarkable achievements.

This file photo taken on Oct. 30, 2024 shows Chinese table tennis icon Ma Long reacting after receiving the Outstanding Sporting Career Award during the awarding ceremony of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) Awards 2024 in Cascais, Portugal. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)