China’s Sports Power: From Scraps to Stripes
Grab the popcorn and a sports drink, folks! It seems that China has gone from being the kid on the sidelines to the one scoring the winning goal in the big game of international sports – and they’re doing it with style!
A Journey Through Time
In the last 75 years, China’s sports industry has morphed quicker than a gymnast on a balance beam. Once upon a time, it was a story of struggle and grit, now it’s a dazzling showcase of progress. And just look at it now!
“Look Ma, no hands!” – said every coach in China as their athletes make a splash on the world stage.
Back in 1984, Xu Haifeng was strutting his stuff on the podium at the Los Angeles Olympics, rocking a snazzy “Plum Blossom Brand” outfit. Fast forward to 2024, and suddenly, China’s gearing up for the Paris Olympics, with everything from table tennis tables to weightlifting barbells proudly bearing the label “Made in China.” That’s progress, folks!
Reforming the Game
Since the 90s, sports like football, basketball, and volleyball have undergone more makeovers than a reality TV star. And let’s face it, did anyone think we’d ever see a day when e-sports would make their triumphant debut? Well, here we are! The Hangzhou Asian Games evoked some serious gamer envy when China’s team snagged the gold in Dota — yes, that’s right, the new Olympics include non-physical activities too!
From Mountains to Urban Jungles: Sports for All
Outdoor sports like skiing, cycling, and surfing are sweeping across the country like wildfire. Forget being struck by lightning in the mountains; it’s now about catching some waves! They’re popularizing competitions across rural areas. Heaven forbid your village is known for ‘that guy with the sheep’ when you could be ‘the one who won the village marathon instead!’
Building the Future
Let’s not forget the industrial engine behind all these athletic feats, shall we? Companies are whipping up equipment faster than you can say “China’s newly minted sports prowess.” Workers are seen assembling high-tech bicycles while somewhere else, children are donning ice skates in a training facility ready to compete. I’d say that’s a sure-fire way to get people in shape, right?
As the economy pivots and sports continue to evolve, China’s ambitions to carve a niche within the global sports market are being realized. And you can bet the whole world is watching — and taking notes!
Concluding Thoughts
So, here’s a dose of optimism to chew on; whether it’s through thrilling sports events, heart-racing outdoor activities, or the sheer determination of a nation that refuses to sit on the sidelines, China’s sports scene is becoming a powerhouse. And if you think they’ve reached their peak, just wait. This is just the beginning! Who knows — we may soon find ourselves cheering, “Go, China!” at the Olympics, while they make headlines with their systematic sporting takeover.
Mirror of the National Society·Century Light and Shadow | On the road to sports power, images witness the “acceleration” of China’s sports industry
2024/10/13 08:55 Xinhua News Agency
Seventy-five years of stormy journey
China’s sports industry has experienced
The development process from scratch, from weak to strong
From 1984, Xu Haifeng wore a set of “Plum Blossom Brand” sportswear
On the podium at the Los Angeles Olympics
By 2024, table tennis tables, weightlifting barbells and many other
“Made in China” serves the Paris Olympics
Since the 1990s, sports such as football, basketball, and volleyball have
Carry out professional reforms
To the successful hosting of sports events such as the Olympics, Asian Games and Universiade
Attract the public to “travel with the event”
in recent years
Skiing, cycling, surfing and other outdoor sports
Fire spread all over the country
Competitions with the prefix “Village” frequently “out of the circle”
Create a new engine for rural revitalization
…….
Under the lens of Xinhua News Agency reporter
China’s sports industry is in the ascendant
Rising with great momentum
Become an important force in promoting economic transformation and upgrading
↑At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Xu Haifeng received the award after winning the men’s freestyle pistol event (file photo). Xinhua News Agency
↑ On July 8, 2024, workers were assembling carbon fiber bicycles in the production workshop of Shandong Taishan Ruibao Composite Materials Co., Ltd. Taishan Sports Industry Group, located in Leling Economic Development Zone, Shandong, provides equipment for wrestling, cycling, taekwondo, gymnastics, track and field and other competitions in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhu Zheng
↑1994 is the first year of professional football reform in China. It was April 17, 1994, when the National Football League kicked off. Guangdong Hongyuan Club lost 0-2 at home to Beijing Guoan Club. This was Guoan team No. 7 Xie Feng (middle) heading the goal. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Liu Yanwu
↑On April 2, 1995, in the Nanjing National Men’s Basketball Class A quarter-finals, the Nanjing Military Region team defeated the Jilin team 81-72 at home. Nanjing team’s main player No. 4 Ling Xiaolong scored 27 points alone, becoming the highest scorer in the game. This is Ling Xiaolong’s breakthrough layup. 1995 was the first year of the professional reform of the Chinese Basketball League. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Yang Lei
↑Tourists experience powered paragliding in Yangshuo County, Guilin City, Guangxi (photo taken on November 14, 2019, drone photo). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Cao Yiming
↑On September 5, 2023, rock climbing enthusiasts performed deep-water bouldering in Yangshuo County, Guilin City, Guangxi. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Hu Xingyu
↑ On January 6, 2023, children performed short track speed skating training demonstration at the National Speed Skating Arena. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ju Huanzong
↑The ice hockey team of Shuixigou Middle School in Urumqi County is training (photo taken on December 20, 2023). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li He
↑Tourists experience snow recreation projects at the “Shougang Park Ice and Snow Collection” under the Shougang Ski Jump (photographed on January 31, 2023). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ju Huanzong
↑On January 26, 2020, ski enthusiasts skied at Beidahu Ski Resort in Jilin Ice and Snow Experimental Zone. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Chang
↑On June 23, 2010, a customer was shopping for footballs in Yiwu Commodity Market, Zhejiang Province. According to statistics from Yiwu Customs, driven by the World Cup in South Africa, the monthly export volume of local sporting goods has exceeded US$10 million for six consecutive months. The export volume in the first five months of 2010 increased by 110% compared with the same period of the previous year. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Dingchang
↑This is the night view of the National Stadium (left) and National Aquatics Center taken on June 23, 2022. As the “Double Olympic City” iconic venue group, the “Ice Ribbon”, “Bird’s Nest” and “Ice Cube” are lit up in conjunction to jointly convey the Olympic spirit and call on the people to use sports to light up healthy lives and create a better future. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Chenlin
↑Staff work at the Olympic Broadcasting Services Broadcast Technology Center (photo taken on July 25, 2024). The OBS Cloud jointly built by Alibaba Cloud and Olympic Broadcasting Service (OBS) has become an important infrastructure for the global broadcast of the Paris Olympics. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Huang Zongzhi
↑On October 2, 2023, Chinese team players during the competition (multiple exposure photos). On the same day, in the Dota final of the Hangzhou Asian Games e-sports event, the Chinese team defeated the Mongolian team 2-1 and won the championship. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Linyun
↑On March 27, 2023, villagers entered the competition venue carrying the local agricultural product “Three-tasseled Shelduck”. This is the prize for the third place Tongren City team. On the same day, the finals of the first “Beautiful Countryside” Basketball League in Guizhou Province were held in Taipan Village, Taijiang County, Qiandongnan Prefecture. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ou Dongqu
↑On February 3, 2024, the musical fireworks show was staged at the “Village Evening” (drone photo). On the same day, the 2024 National “Village Night” demonstration event and Guizhou’s “Village Super Village Night” kicked off in Rongjiang County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province. Activities include the “Village Super Village Gala” cultural display, the 2024 Year of the Dragon “Village Super” New Year’s Eve competition, etc. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Liu Xu
↑On April 16, 2023, contestants passed by the Yellow Crane Tower. On that day, the 2023 Wuhan Marathon kicked off, attracting about 26,000 runners from home and abroad. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhizun
↑On July 29, 2022, contestants rode in the competition. On that day, the third stage of the 21st Tour of Qinghai Lake International Road Cycling Race was held from Guide to Gonghe. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Long
↑On June 22, 2024, young player Han Boyun (second from left) rode in the competition. On the same day, the 2024 Gansu Provincial Children’s Balance Car and Stroller League kicked off at the Gansu Grand Theater Square in Lanzhou City, Gansu Province. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Bin
↑On August 14, 2024, at a tennis club in Beijing, young students took a group photo after finishing the tennis summer camp course. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Cai Yang
Editor: Zhang Chen, Bai Xuefei
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