Challenging times

It has been an arduous journey to Tokyo for all the Chinese riders. In May 2019, China's eventers qualified for the team competition. However, in early 2020 the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic presented major logistical and travel problems to Hua and his teammates.

The postponement of the Olympics then left them mulling the conundrum of how to spend an extra year preparing in the absence of international competitions.

When the time arrived to travel to Tokyo from their training bases in Europe, complications involving medical quarantine and the shipment of their horses were major headaches.

"We were just so stressed about the paperwork," Hua told Xinhua. "It has been a nightmare from beginning to end."

Unlike previous Games, none of Hua's family members or friends could travel with him to Tokyo. This time only his horse's groom could accompany him from London.

"It's very sad. But speaking for all the athletes, we totally understand the reasons," Hua added.

The Chinese Equestrian Association offered assistance to the riders as best it could. "I have to say a huge thank-you to the association for their support, hard work and diligence in making sure we got to this stage," Hua told China Daily before heading to Tokyo.

Perhaps because of all those difficulties, Hua was emotional when proceedings finally got underway in the Japanese capital.

"Such a shame not to share the magic of an Olympic opening ceremony with a live audience-I will always remember Rio as my first opening ceremony and five years later, I can still feel the electricity from the atmosphere and hear the deafening roar from the crowd," Hua said of the opening night.

"I may well remember tonight for different but even more heartwarming reasons. This wonderful volunteer was waiting at the end of the tunnel entrance to the Olympic Stadium and burst into tears when she saw us.

"Just so overwhelmed by emotion. Her passion and patriotism touched us all and it was so honest that we didn't know how to react at first! The head of the delegation personally handed her a very rare Chinese pin, which athletes only get one each, and a lovely athlete from the Chinese women's water polo team gave her a new pack of Team China face masks.

"Sadly that was all we were able to do at the time but I came away thinking about the Olympic Movement, what it means and despite how difficult a year the world has had, how important it remains to so many people. To inspire this level of emotion inspires us. Thank you to this volunteer for inspiring us all."