On September 12, 2008, the sixth day of the Paralympics, a capacity crowd packed the National Aquatic Center (Water Cube) for the Women's 100m Freestyle - S11 Heats. In the early stages of her race, China’s Xie Qing held second place, to Schulte of Germany by the smallest of margins.

“Go China! Go China! Go China!” was the resonant chant coming from one area of the stand. It was a group of people wearing cheer squad uniforms specially made for the Olympic and Paralympic Games’. Rallying behind their leader, they beat a rhythm with balloon sticks and waved the national flags of China as well as the five-ring Olympic flag; their thunderous cheer reverberated through the Aquatic Center. Spurred on by the jubilant atmosphere, 19-year-old blind women athlete Xie Qing began to push for first place: she powered past Schulte, increasing her lead until she finally touched the wall in 1’10’36’’, breaking the world record of 1’11’37’’. The stands erupted in ecstasy at Xie Qing’s historic win.

The aforementioned cheer squad is known as the “golden phoenix” form Air China, and was the first dedicated squad of its kind at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. Coming into existence on July 18, this cheer squad comprises 160 "Olympic cabin crew" members who were specially employed by Air China for the Beijing Olympics service guarantee. They actively participated in various training sessions and activities when off-duty, in addition to serving Olympic flights with excellent service and gracefulness. Air China’s cabin department especially invited professional teachers to train the “golden phoenix” in the areas of team formation, gestures, slogan and so on. Before this training, the cheer squad members took part in a course, organized by Air China, to develop the skills required in serving the disabled, including careful service and more psychological care.

With outstanding professionalism and comprehensive preparation, “golden phoenix” gained the attention of spectators in the stands from the moment they entered the “Water Cube”. Knowing the cheer squad was formed of air stewardesses from Air China, spectators rushed in admiration to take photos with the squad members. During the 2.5 hours of competition, the professional “golden phoenix” cheer squad helped  heat the atmosphere by arousing the people surrounding them with intense passion. Many spectators joined the “golden phoenix” to cheer for China and for the Paralympics, by chanting the squad’s powerful rhymes.

It was learned that some of the cheer squad members would work on Air China flights later in the afternoon, and that some of them were feverish the day before; even so, they all devote their leisure time to coming to the aquatic center and cheering on the Paralympics. Unable to conceal their excitement, one of the members said: “I am so excited to be a part of the competition, and I am moved deeply by the disabled athletes’ strong will and never-give-up spirit, we have committed ourselves to expressing the most graceful side of the Air China cabin crew; our hearts are beating as one with the athletes!”

After the competition, “golden phoenix” members immediately returned to their jobs, without even a moment’s rest, to prepare for the coming flights. Armed with the Olympic passion, Air China crew members will be at the frontline in serving the Paralympics.