Hangzhou, China, September 29, 2023: Mongolian young reporter Enkhsaran “Sara” Baasandorj has reached the end of her Asian Games journey.
The 19-year-old student left Hangzhou on Friday afternoon to head for Shanghai International Airport, from where she would fly direct to Paris to resume her business development studies in the French capital.
“It’s been a memorable few days,” Sara said.
“I have learned so much about the work of a sports journalist at a major event such as the Asian Games. From the moment I attended the swimming on the first morning of the Asian Games and interviewed the Mongolian athletes in the mixed zone, right up until our cultural tour on Thursday, I have really enjoyed the programme. I was also able to spend a day in the Athletes' Village with the Mongolian Olympic Committee and media.
“I would like to say a big thank you to the Olympic Council of Asia, not only for coming to Mongolia to conduct the Youth Reporter Project in June but also for looking after us so well here.
“I have been able to work alongside the other young reporters from Kuwait, Palestine, Hong Kong and Tajikistan and feel I have made friends for life.”
Sara previously studied at the Business School in the Olympic city of Lausanne, Switzerland, but now studies in Paris, which will host the Olympic Games next summer.
“I will follow the Olympic Games, of course, but my studies must come first over the following months,” she added.
“I had only been at school in Paris for one week before I came to Hangzhou, but I did not want to miss this opportunity of coming to China and working at the Asian Games.”
Her commitment to her studies is evident – she is due to land in Paris at 6am….and her first lesson will be 10am.
The OCA and fellow young reporters wish Sara a safe journey and will always cherish the memories of her time in Hangzhou.
Caption: Sara (second from right) is pictured with three of the OCA young reporters outside the Marriott Hotel in Hangzhou as she waits for the transport to take her to Shanghai on Friday afternoon.