By Wang Meng
JAKARTA, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- China has been playing an increasingly prominent role in major international sporting events as of late. From the PyeongChang Winter Olympics to the Russia World Cup, and now in the ongoing Asian Games in Indonesia, China has been playing a major role in one way or another. Let's take a look at some of the ways that China has been making contributions to the development of international sports.
ATHLETES, FANS AND VOLUNTEERS
Since joining the Asian Games Federation, the predecessor of the Olympic Council of Asia, in 1973, China has come a long way to become a sports giant in Asia.
Back in 1974, the Chinese delegation won its first gold medal in the Tehran Asian Games. 44 years on, China now has taken a convincing lead atop the medal table in Jakarta, having bagged 117 gold medals already, nearly doubling that of the runners-up Japan.
This marks the ninth consecutive time that China has ranked first in the table. With 845 athletes competing, China is without a doubt leaving a lasting mark on the Asiad.
In international tournaments, the story is no different. Chinese athletes have been able to flex their muscles not only in sports where they have been dominating for years, like table tennis, diving and badminton, but also on sports where they were previously lacking accomplishments. Wu Dajing won the gold medal and broke a world record in the 500m short track speed skating in 39.584 at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Sprinter Su Bingtian levelled the Asian record of 100m at 9.91 twice in nine days in Madrid and Paris this year. They are the reflection of China's efforts and strengths in comprehensive sports.
Fans also play a crucial role in China's contribution to international sport. In Jakarta, Chinese fans can be seen in nearly every competition, cheering for their heroes and waving national flags in excitement.
Their passion for sports was extremely evident during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, with some 40,000 Chinese fans buying tickets, despite China failing in its long-shot quest to qualify for the tournament. The fans provide a passion that drives the athletes onward as they strive to achieve greater things.
Volunteers are another part of the equation. 52 Chinese volunteers were part of the Russia World Cup, with 18 of them flying in from China for the event.
Xu Haoran was one of them. He is a university student studying in Moscow. He went through the tests and interviews to become a volunteer at the media center, and was always the last to leave. He said it was tough, but he valued the experience.
"After each match began, millions of spectators focused their attention on the 22 players on the pitch. But it is the thousands of staff and volunteers behind the camera that guarantee each match goes smoothly," Xu said. "I felt really proud to have the chance to help the Chinese media workers."
"MADE IN CHINA" AND CHINESE BRANDS
Apart from athletes, fans and volunteers, Chinese enterprises also do their fair share to world sports. From cuddly mascots to sports facilities, "made in China" products are familiar to fans and athletes in international tournaments around the globe.
Taishan Sports Group is the official supplier for the Jakarta Asian Games. The company is providing thousands of items for nearly ten sports including Wushu, gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline. Starting from a small workshop that stitched mats, Taishan Sports Group now embraces state-of-the-art technology to produce all its gymnastics hardware completely from carbon fiber. The company has provided items for six editions of Asian Games, and the Beijing and Rio Olympic Games.
The Chinese names on the advertising boards of major events is perhaps the most clear example of Chinese brands' determination to reach global consumers and make a difference with their products.
In Jakarta, staff and volunteer are dressed in sportswear made by 361°, the official prestige partner of the Asiad.
With Hisense, Vivo and Mengniu becoming the 2018 World Cup sponsors, and Yadea listed as a regional supporter, international media are taking notice. The Guardian wrote that "football fans heading to the World Cup this summer are going to get an education in Chinese TVs, mobile phones, electric scooters and [inner] Mongolian dairy products."
The biggest example of a Chinese firm playing a role in bringing sports to the world is Dalian Wanda Group, which has become a FIFA partner together with well-known international brands including Adidas, Coca Cola and Visa.
Zenith estimated that Chinese enterprises paid about one-third of the 2.4-billion-dollar advertisement sponsorship total at the Russia World Cup. Although expensive, sponsoring major events undoubtedly helps Chinese enterprises gain greater exposure worldwide, which can provide serious long-term benefits.
An increasing Chinese presence in the international sporting arena not only brings more attention to the competitions within the country, but also contributes to the success of the tournaments themselves. With the Beijing Winter Olympics and the Hangzhou Asian Games just ahead in 2022, Chinese athletes, fans, volunteers and enterprises will surely have their work cut out for them.
