When National Fitness Day meets Paris Olympics

Editor's note: Zhou Lijun, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is the director of the National Sports Industry Research Base of Zhejiang University. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

On August 8, China celebrates its 16th National Fitness Day. Meanwhile, the Paris Summer Olympics are in full swing, and the outstanding performance of Chinese athletes on the field has reignited the passion for national fitness.

Over the past 20 years, China has made remarkable achievements in developing the national fitness and health sectors. Since the State Council first issued the "Outline of the National Fitness Program" in 1995, national fitness has become an integral part of China's national strategy. Continuous issuance of policy documents, such as the "National Fitness Regulations," the "Healthy China 2030" blueprint and the "National Fitness Program (2021-2025)," has transformed the national fitness plan from mere sports promotion to a comprehensive health management system, effectively promoting Chinese people's health and well-being.

The popularization and upgrading of sports facilities have provided a solid material foundation for national fitness. From cities to rural areas, and from traditional to intelligent sports facilities, the accessibility of sports equipment has continuously improved, and the enthusiasm for public sports activities has been constantly stimulated.

At the Huanglong Sports Center in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, the introduction of self-service machines, facial recognition devices, and unmanned turnstiles, combined with the "Dynamic Huanglong" applet, has achieved smart venue transformation, enhancing operational efficiency and user experience, and meeting citizens' diverse fitness needs.

Meanwhile, the standardization of physical fitness monitoring and scientific fitness guidance, as well as the promotion of exercise prescriptions, reflect China's strategic shift from passive response to proactive management in public health management. In 2017, the Sports Hospital of the General Administration of Sport of China opened an exercise prescription clinic, formulating individualized exercise prescriptions for chronic disease patients, and effectively implementing exercise guidance for them.

The ongoing Paris Olympics provide an excellent opportunity to ignite the passion for national fitness.

Firstly, media publicity and education are key to promoting the Olympic spirit and the stories of Chinese athletes. Through media coverage and posts on social platforms, we can stimulate national pride and enthusiasm for sports, further advancing the cause of national fitness. For instance, in the recently concluded swimming competition, the Chinese men's 4x100m medley relay team broke the 40-year dominance of the American team, winning gold and proving the strength of Chinese swimming, which has sparked public enthusiasm for learning to swim across China.

Secondly, community activities and public participation are also important ways to stimulate national fitness enthusiasm. Organizing Olympic-themed sports activities in urban community centers and parks allows more people to be immersed in Olympic culture and spirit through participating in sports activities. China has been doing this for years. During the 2016 Rio Olympics, the Olympic Village Street in Chaoyang District, Beijing, which boasts rich Olympic heritage, hosted a series of community events, including the Citizens' Badminton Tournament, the Shuttlecock Competition, and the Olympic Community Grand Stage, making sports activities more accessible to ordinary people.

Lastly, actively promoting the integration of sports and education allows more children to enjoy the fun of sports. Olympic-related content can be included in schools' physical education curricula, telling the stories of champions as modern role models for kids, imparting the Olympic spirit, and encouraging students to participate in sports activities. In 2023, the "Walking with Champions" public welfare activity was held in the No. 3 Middle School in Lechang City of south China's Guangdong Province. Tokyo Olympics diving double champion Xie Siyi shared his journey with the entire school, imparting the spirit of sports.

National fitness is not only an important way to improve public health but also a key part of building a Healthy China. Let us fully utilize the enthusiasm of the Paris Olympics to ignite the passion for national fitness, encouraging more Chinese people to participate in physical exercise. Let us work together to create a vibrant, healthy and positive society, contributing to the realization of the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. Let us set off again on National Fitness Day, actively participating in sports activities and enjoying a healthy, energetic and happy life.

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