People from Generation Z around the world were encouraged to communicate with each other through sports and find common interests on Wednesday by officials and athletes associated with the World University Games, which this year will be held in Chengdu, Sichuan province.

They made the remarks at the Global Generation Z Sports Forum, which was hosted by the China Education Association for International Exchange in Beijing.

Ding Ning, Olympic table tennis gold medalist and postgraduate student at Peking University, said behind all her achievements lies an arduous journey of training and perseverance and a spirit that refuses to surrender.

"I have learned the invaluable lesson of embracing defeat and enduring the pain that comes with it, which is an essential part of an athlete's journey."

Throughout her sports career, table tennis taught her not only to get the gold, but to have a courageous heart that remains steadfast in moments of triumph or adversity, she said.