In 2008, Beijing dazzled the globe with its Olympic footprints, which illuminated the city’s night sky. This monumental event began a legacy, enriching not just the lives of its citizens, but also significantly advancing China’s economic and social development. Furthermore, Beijing made an unparalleled mark in 2022, becoming the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Emphasizing the enduring legacy of the Olympic Games, Beijing has been proactive in utilizing this heritage for public welfare and to boost fitness endeavors across the nation.
The 14th Beijing Olympic City Sports Culture Festival, held at the Juyongguan Great Wall, serves as a testament to this legacy. Besides promoting numerous fitness activities, the festival also celebrates the 15-year journey since the 2008 Olympic Games. Thomas Bach, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, sent a heartfelt video message for the occasion. He reminisced, “The 2008 Olympic Games marked an extraordinary chapter for sports, not just in China but globally. That exceptional opening ceremony, filled with China’s rich culture and deep history, remains unforgettable.”
Bach didn’t stop at 2008. He also recognized China’s consistent role as a wonderful host for numerous sporting events, recalling the remarkable Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing in 2014 and the recent mesmerizing Winter Games in 2022. Expressing gratitude, he stated, “Beijing’s remarkable contributions to the Olympic movement will always be treasured.”
The Beijing 2022 Games, as per an IOC report, had a profound impact. Since the city’s successful bid in 2015, over 346 million Chinese citizens have engaged in winter sports. This engagement translated into vast economic and social advantages for the local communities. Vice mayor Hong Sima spotlighted how the legacy of both Olympic events has become a tangible asset for Beijing, propelling athletic achievements, stimulating economic growth, and fostering international collaborations. Post the Winter Olympics, efforts have intensified to popularize ice and snow sports, with Olympic venues being opened to the public and plans to host elite sporting events underway.
A significant development announced during the festival was the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Sports and Cultural Tourism Belt. Zhangjiakou, which was instrumental in the 2022 Winter Olympics, intends to evolve into an international winter tourism hotspot, backed by initiatives in renewable energy. The connectivity between Beijing and Zhangjiakou has been significantly enhanced, with travel durations slashed to 47 minutes, thanks to a high-speed railway.
The festival itself, an initiative by the Beijing Olympic City Development Association since 2010, has morphed into a beacon of the Olympic spirit, disseminating Olympic culture and encouraging fitness. Fu Xiaohui, an association representative, expressed the ambition to transform this legacy into beneficial activities for the populace. This year’s lineup includes an array of events, from “dual Olympic” themed camps to a Little Triathlon for kids, emphasizing Beijing’s unique dual-Olympic status.
The festivity also evoked fond memories, with attendees donning 2008 Olympic volunteer jerseys and displays of torches and medals from the games. Participants even had an opportunity to relive some of the Olympic challenges, adapted for the festival.
Artistic gymnastics Olympic champion, He Kexin, voiced her appreciation, acknowledging the festival as a brilliant means to rekindle the Olympic spirit and accentuate the importance of fitness.
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