Why China's first ever Student (Youth) Games was a success

For all the razzmatazz of a showpiece event, the inaugural Student (Youth) Games in China were heavily promoted with the promise of a magnificent legacy.

Li Hui, the director of the Department of Youth at the General Administration of Sport, noted earlier this month that the Games symbolized a significant endeavor to enhance the integration of sports and education in China.

It was seen as a momentous opportunity to bridge the gap between academia and sports, offering young athletes the chance to compete at a high level while pursuing their education. This unique initiative aimed to showcase the importance of balancing athletic pursuits with intellectual growth, fostering a holistic development for the participants.

As the flame that illuminated the Games was extinguished in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Wednesday night, it became evident that a striking transformation is taking place. 

Throughout the course of 11 days, the magic of sports pierced through the winter gloom, captivating spectators. Hour after hour, student athletes stepped into the spotlight, exhibiting results of their years of dedication, self-discipline, and time management. The athletes' exceptional performances not only warmed the hearts of the nation but also radiated with their humility, elegance, and sheer joy, leaving a lasting impact on China's collective spirit.

At the end of the day, the first Student (Youth) Games have shattered a whopping 11 world youth records, along with three Asian records and two Asian youth records. Moreover, in disciplines such as shooting, weightlifting, and athletics, a flurry of national records, national youth records, and national junior records were established.

The prominence of the Games does not solely lie on athletic achievements and snagging gold medals. In fact, this edition of the competition witnessed the participation of over 20,000 young athletes and 16,000 youth volunteers. The chosen disciplines, including athletics, swimming, football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and badminton, were carefully selected for their widespread popularity among students and the convenience of conducting these sporting activities within the school premises.

"The Student (Youth) Games serve as a splendid stage for schools to display their athletic prowess," observed Li. "However, it is of utmost importance for this edition to assume a leadership role in fostering the widespread popularization of school sports, thereby effectively enhancing the physical fitness of our young students.

"Through this grand sporting extravaganza, I firmly believe that we shall succeed in enlightening a lot of young minds about the joys of sports, inspiring them to actively partake in athletic endeavors, and encourage them to pursue sporting activities with zeal.

"This, in turn, shall propel the harmonious integration of sports and education, drive the growth of school sports initiatives, and ultimately contribute to the physical well-being of our vibrant youth."

It is understood that the General Administration of Sport will meticulously assess the emergence of sporting prodigies in the Student (Youth) Games, which aims to fully harness the pivotal role that the inaugural tournament plays in unearthing talent, nurturing promising athletes, and propelling the sustainable development of competitive sports in China.

As Li aptly remarked, "These outstanding athletes who have achieved stunning results in the Games have truly caught our attention and brought a breath of fresh air. However, they still need to put in long-term and arduous efforts on the path to growth and success."