Ever since the Chinese women’s volleyball team claimed gold in Rio, the home of the team's star spiker, Zhu Ting, has become a new "scenic spot," attracting people from nearby villages to take photos in front of it.

Zhu's house is located in Dancheng County, Henan province. According to a neighbor, Zhu’s parents came from the countryside into the village on the day of the final match so that everyone in the village could gather in their home to cheer for Zhu together. 

"The village has never been so bustling! Since the team won the title, many people come to visit [Zhu's] house every day," the neighbor added.

When a reporter visited the house, there were two tourists taking photos in front of it. Cui Zhenji and Cui Tingliang said that they rode an electric tricycle 30 kilometers along the bumpy, dusty road to see the site.

Zhu Ting

"I knew Zhu Ting was a Dancheng local. I watched every game of the women's volleyball competition. Zhu Ting's performance was superb, so we wanted to take a look at her home. Even just taking a photo here makes me proud," Cui Tingliang said happily.

Cui Jizhen, a village school teacher, said he never thought he could get so close to an Olympic champion.

"Media reports said Zhu Ting grew up in village, and that her family was not well-off. I know that is true after visiting her hometown and seeing her house. It's really hard for a village child to make that sort of accomplishment," he said, adding that he would tell his students Zhu Ting's story to inspire them when the new semester begins.

Zhu Kangfei, another villager, reminisced about last Chinese New Year when Zhu Ting came home to visit her family.

"She greeted everyone she met and never refused people's requests to take photos with her," he said. In his impression, Zhu Ting is still the same village girl she used to be.