China’s ‘fastest delivery man’ qualifies for Paris ‘people’s’ marathon in Olympics
- 39-year-old qualifies from pool of tens of thousands to take part in historic event for the public in French capital
A delivery worker from China has been chosen to compete in the Paris 2024 Mass Participation Marathon, the first ever event for amateur athletes at the Olympics.
More than 800,000 people across the world have applied to join the event.
Luan Yushuai, 39, gained enough of the critical sport credits required to be qualified for the race and become one of 40,048 candidates – including 120 from China – selected via a lucky draw, the Dazhong Daily reported.
Sports credits are gained by taking up the running challenges set out on a special app, either alone or as part of a team, based on time, distance and other factors.
“I’d like to experience running in the Olympics. Really looking forward to it,” Luan said.
The Games’ organisers decided to open a marathon to the public to create an opportunity for as many people as possible to get close to the heart of the historic sporting event.
Participants will be following in the footsteps of the professional runners on the same route, according to the Paris Olympics 2024 website.
Hailing from a village in Jilin province in northeastern China, Luan has been working as a delivery rider in Beijing for nine years.
As well as running fast to meet work deadlines, he trains in his spare time by covering a distance of 400km every month. To increase his strength and stamina, he attaches sandbags to his legs while working.
“Delivering goods and running are two indispensable things in my life,” he said.
Luan started running marathons in 2017 when a customer, who is a sports club owner, offered to coach him for free.
In 2021, he came first in a half marathon race in Beijing among non-professional runners.
Luan has competed in many events in the last seven years. His best marathon time was 2 hours, 25 minutes and 55 seconds, earning him the nickname “China’s fastest delivery man”, the report said.
He registered at the Paris Olympics website in 2021 to apply for the Mass Participation Marathon before working towards gaining the sports credits.
“I took up the running schedule after work. Although it is exhausting, I liked doing that,” Luan said.
By the end of last year, he had accumulated 100,000 points, which qualified him to be entered into the drawing lots stage.
The marathon is scheduled to take place on the evening of August 10.
“He is so inspiring. From his story, I know that there are opportunities in every corner of our life,” one online observer said on Weibo.
“Bravo, brother. That is the Olympic spirit. I am moved by you,” said another.
