Olympians' spirit hailed by president

Xi says Chinese athletes' performances at the Rio Games helped to fuel patriotic enthusiasm

President Xi Jinping issued a rallying call on Thursday for the Olympic spirit to be practiced in helping to realize the "China Dream" of national rejuvenation.

Meeting with the country's athletes, who have returned from the Rio Olympics, he said the Chinese delegation's performances at the Games had interpreted the Olympic spirit, inspiring national patriotic enthusiasm.