In a dazzling display of national pride, Antai College of Economics and Management (ACEM) alumnus MA Long took center stage at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony. As dawn broke over Paris on July 27, MA, alongside artistic swimmer FENG Yu, proudly carried the Chinese flag, leading their nation's delegation along the Seine River in a spectacular boat parade.

MA Long, a table tennis legend and 2017 graduate of SJTU Antai, is no stranger to Olympic glory. With five Olympic gold medals and an unprecedented 30 world championships under his belt, Ma has cemented his place in sports history as the first player to successfully defend an Olympic singles title in table tennis. His remarkable achievement of the "Double Grand Slam" - twice winning singles titles in the Olympics, World Championships, and World Cup - sets him apart as one of the greatest players of all time.

The Paris Olympics marks another milestone for SJTU Antai, as MA becomes the second alumnus to serve as a flag bearer for China at the Summer Olympics. He follows in the footsteps of basketball icon YAO Ming, a 2018 SJTU Antai graduate, who carried the flag at both the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics.

YAO Ming, now President of both the Chinese Basketball Association and FIBA Asia, continues to make his mark on the Olympic stage. At the Paris Games, he serves as the head of the Chinese basketball delegation, further highlighting the enduring connection between SJTU Antai and China's sporting excellence.

The presence of these distinguished alumni at the Olympics underscores SJTU Antai's commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals who excel not only in academics but also on the world stage. As the Games unfold, the SJTU community rallies behind its Olympians, embodying the spirit of achievement that defines both the institution and its graduates.

With the Olympic flame now lit in Paris, all eyes turn to the competitions ahead. As MA Long prepares to defend his titles and add to his impressive medal haul, he carries with him not just the hopes of a nation, but the pride of his alma mater, SJTU Antai College of Economics and Management.