China's Use of the Olympics for Soft Power

China approaches the Olympics as an opportunity to bolster its international image rather than celebrate individual athletic achievements. The Chinese government utilizes the event as a stage to promote the Communist Party's legitimacy amidst a backdrop of low global favorability ratings, particularly in host country France where 70% of the public holds unfavorable views of China. Despite a strong medal count, the Chinese athletes face skepticism and scrutiny, primarily due to past scandals related to doping. The Party's focus on medal-rich but less popular sports, such as shooting and diving, alongside the isolation of their athletes, further highlights this strategy, which prioritizes national glory over personal triumph.