CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- "Three, two, one! Let us cheer for the Chinese Olympic athletes!" With a spirited shout, they leap from the riverside, five or six meters high, and plunge into the water with a splash. This scene unfolds almost daily at the Zhongdukou Wharf along the Jialing River in Chongqing. These divers are members of the Shimen Winter Swimming and Diving Team, a branch of the Chongqing Winter Swimming Association.

Precision and the water splash disappearance technique may seem out of reach for this group, but their courage echoes the sentiment of the 'Dream Team' along the Jialing River, as mentioned by People's Daily: “Strength is not confined to the Olympic arena, nor to thirty-two events, nor is it defined solely by champions. Victory belongs not only to the champions but to everyone who refuses to admit defeat.”

Inspired by the recent successes of Chinese divers in the Paris Olympics, their enthusiasm has surged. The team boasts over 150 members, spanning all ages and backgrounds—students, office workers, and retired elders. The oldest member is over 70, while the youngest is just five years old.

"Anyone who loves diving is welcome. We offer free lessons, but those inexperienced with riverside swimming should be cautious," says Fu Yongguo, a 67-year-old senior diver with a long white beard, and one of the team’s founders.

Despite his age, Fu Yongguo arrives punctually at around 3:00 p.m. every day. He changes into his diving gear, tests the water depth, and organizes warm-up exercises before leading the team into the water.

Although they are not professional athletes, the thrill of free-falling through the air and diving into the water brings them immense joy and often garners applause from onlookers. Over time, this folk diving team has gained fame, established a training base, and attracted professional instructors.

Gao Min, China's first Olympic springboard diving gold medalist renowned as the Diving Queen, has even visited to watch them dive. "People come every day because of our reputation. We welcome them wholeheartedly," says Fu Yongguo, who, along with his team, is eager to share diving safety tips with newcomers.

Beyond their passion for diving, the team members also serve a critical role as rescuers. As members of the Shimen Winter Swimming and Diving Team, they voluntarily act as ‘safety officers’, ensuring the well-being of citizens by the riverside.

The rescue team has placed swimming rings, bamboo poles, and homemade rescue equipment along the shore. "There are about twenty or thirty team members here daily. You can see our members positioned at intervals along the riverside," Fu Yongguo points out. “In case of an emergency, we're ready to perform rescues at any time.”

In the past two years, the rescue team has received numerous commendations. “These are all from people we saved from drowning. Whenever we see these, we feel proud and know it's all worth it.”

Recently, following a flood that left silt along the riverside, Fu Yongguo and his team spontaneously organized a clean-up effort. They also reminded citizens: "It's flood season, and the river's speed can vary. Safety comes first. Those who can't swim or have just learned should avoid entering the water." (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)