Chinese dama dances at the opening ceremony of Rio Olympics

Chen Jing, a Latin dance instructor from Jiangyin, Jiangsu province, dances at the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium, August 6. [Photo/china.com]

Chen Jing, a 56-year-old Latin dance instructor from Jiangyin, Jiangsu province became a cyber celebrity for being the only Chinese dama to dance at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympics in Maracana Stadium, August 6.

Chen has been a big fan of dancing since she was a child and learned Latin dance when it became popular in China. She devoted herself to teaching dance after retirement. At the beginning of this year she got the chance to take part in a samba school's carnival when visiting her daughter in Rio. Surprisingly she found that samba merely requires dancing along to the rhythms in one's own style, instead of keeping step with all other dancers in a unified way. With her confidence boosted, she applied to be a volunteer in the Rio Olympic Games. And luckily, she made it.

Chen went back to Rio to start training in May after receiving a confirmation email from the Rio Olympic Organizing Committee, and rehearsed 23 times at the Maracana Stadium before the formal performance at the opening ceremony.

Chen also volunteered to work in the Ping-pong Gymnasium. When asked about her feelings about being a cyber celebrity, she said all she wants now is to do her volunteer work well; she'll share her feelings when the Rio Olympics are over.

Chen Jing poses before her Olympic poster at Maracana Stadium, August 6. [Photo/china.com]