Nanjing, China: Tall, dark and “sporty”, 15-year old Pema Thinley studying in the 9th grade at the Lungtenzampa Middle Secondary School from Bhutan (NOC – Bhutan Olympic Committee) is here in Nanjing, China at the 2nd Asian Youth Games to representing his country in the Boys 200m run.
“It is a very good experience for me as I get to meet people from different cultural backgrounds and learn a lot of things every day,” he said cheerfully. The athletes from China and Myanmar are already in his ‘best buddies’ list. Moreover, he really enjoys the hospitality given by his Chinese friends. With the delicious food at the Athletes Village, although the same menu every day, he still enjoys the food.
Getting into a group and chatting; proudly talking about Bhutan- its culture and environment and making his friends go mad to come to Bhutan; and visiting the Asian Cultural Village to see different nation’s kiosks, which he finds very interesting, are ways to spend his free time. It’s pretty much the same for all athletes I guess, since they do not have TV’s in their rooms.
And visiting China for the first time, he has been busy observing all the developmental activities here which are very different from his homeland. He finds the training centers out here relatively better with more facilities. He also agreed that his athlete friends from other countries seem much better than him which has all the more encouraged and inspired him to practice better for future events.
He absolutely enjoys his free life at the Athletes’ village and he shall have all the fun memories to take back home. “Actually, no, I don’t want to go back to school. I want to stay here forever like this,” he said giggling as he expressed all his gratitude towards the Olympic Council of Asia and the BOC at the end. He feels fortunate for having been given this opportunity and “with more practice and training”, he promises to come back next year for the Youth Olympics.
Yes, a young Usain Bolt in the making!
Article and photo courtesy of Olympic Council of Asia Newsletter