Hangzhou, the host city of the recent Asian Games and Para Games, is proving to be a pioneer in transforming sports venues into vibrant hubs of community life and international sporting events. The city’s innovative approach seeks to maximize the legacy of these events, not only as successful sporting spectacles but also as catalysts for the city’s sustainable development and the well-being of its citizens.
Hangzhou’s vision goes beyond the conventional reuse of stadiums and facilities. Instead, it merges the welfare of its people with the city’s sustainable growth. Even before the Games, Hangzhou boldly opened its venues to the public, making it the first Chinese city to do so ahead of an international multi-sports event.
Following the Games, Hangzhou has introduced a groundbreaking hybrid model. This model combines mass fitness initiatives, youth training facilities, and the continued hosting of large-scale professional sports events. The primary objective is to repurpose venues, making them accessible to the public while boosting the city’s reputation through the continued hosting of domestic and international events.
In a recent development, the Huanglong Sports Center, which was a gymnastics venue during the Asian Games, will now host the 2023 Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship from December 13 to 17. Additionally, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has chosen Hangzhou as the venue for the World Tour Finals from 2023 to 2026, with this year’s finals scheduled from December 13 to 17. These events are the pinnacle of their respective sports, featuring only the top eight players in each event’s annual world rankings.
Hangzhou has also extended its international cooperation by signing memorandums with organizations like the International Canoe Federation, the International Hockey Federation, and the International Equestrian Federation. Notably, Hangzhou will host the inaugural International Super Cup of Canoe and Kayak in October 2024, further cementing its status as a global sports hub.
Looking ahead, Hangzhou aims to bid for hosting prestigious international events, including the 2024 Global E-Sports Games, the 2024 World Archery World Cup, and the 2025 International Shooting Federation World Cup.
Of the 56 competition venues used for the Asian (and Para) Games, 19 will be open to the public, promoting mass fitness. Another 21 will be managed by third-party companies and accessible at rates lower than prevailing local market prices. Eight venues will be transformed into training bases for professional teams, while eight university venues will serve educational purposes, according to the organizing committee of the Hangzhou Games.
Mao Genhong, chief spokesperson of the Hangzhou Asian Games, outlined three significant dividends from the Games for the city. First, it has expanded access to exercise with a per capita sports area increase. Second, the Games contributed to infrastructure upgrades and promoted the construction of barrier-free facilities. Last but not least, they spurred the growth of local sports industries, exemplified by the Tonglu Equestrian Center, which lays a foundation for future development.
Chen Weiqiang, vice mayor of Hangzhou, emphasized the enduring impact of the venues on the city and its people. These landmark venues will continue to host international events and large-scale activities, showcasing Hangzhou as an open and inclusive modern city and leaving a lasting legacy for its citizens.
Hangzhou’s transformation of venues like the Shaoxing Keqiao Yangshan Sport Climbing Centre into a rock climbing park and the Chun’an Jieshou Sports Centre into a water resort illustrates its commitment to a sustainable, community-oriented legacy from the Asian Games. These venues will serve as symbols of Hangzhou’s innovative approach to sports, well-being, and international collaboration.
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