However, the competitor now in her 50s realized she could still win at the national level in Chile, which rekindled her Olympic dream.

"I love this country," she said after losing in the preliminary round at the Paris Games on July 27. "I didn't reach my dream in China, and I have here. It's important not to give up."

Despite her early exit from the competition she had every reason to be proud of her efforts in Paris. Her husband and two sons cheered her on in the South Paris Arena and her 92-year-old father back in China was able to see his daughter's lifelong dream come true.

Ni, who was in China's squad at the 1983 Table Tennis World Championships, said they were both on the national team for a period of time.

"It's not easy for her to make a return to this level after not playing for such a long time," Ni said. "No matter what, she built her foundation in the Chinese national team, and that will always make a difference (in international competitions). I congratulate her for making it to Paris."

As to whether her Olympic journey is over, Ni said she is not planning to hang up her paddle any time soon. With support from the sport's governing body in Luxembourg and the grand duchy's government, she said she remains fresh and motivated, even at the age of 61.

"Age is just a number," said Ni, who was born in Shanghai and began her career with the city's women's team in 1978.

She moved to Germany in 1989 for career prospects, and settled down in Luxembourg two years later. There she met her husband Tommy Danielsson, the then Luxembourg national team coach.

"Three years ago, Paris 2024 felt so far away, but I just thought let's keep trying," she said.

"Our team really needs me, and everyone was working so hard. I saw staying around as a way to motivate them. If we make it (to Los Angeles 2028), great. If we can't, then we just enjoy the journey."