Editor's note: The weather in Beijing became quite unpleasant during the weekend with temperatures above 34 Celsius and humidity above 90 percent, heralding another downpour in the days to come.
Despite the sultry weather, around 10 retired Chinese sports champions led jogging lovers to complete a 5 km "Green Health Run" at the Beijing Olympic Center on Sunday, to cheer for the Chinese sports delegation ready to set off for the 2016 Riode Janeiro Olympics.
More than 500 participants, including entrepreneurs, charity group members and autistic children, took part in the running activity jointly organized by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF) and the China Television Sports and Entertainment Company (CTSE), which operates the China Central Television's CCTV-5 sports channel.
Centered on the theme of "hand in hand and heart to heart," the "Green Health Run" intended to promote sportsmanship and the idea of being a better self and the Olympic spirit of participation.
Many champions agreed that the run would be more of ceremonial significance than how the 5 km jogging would improve people’s health at one time, but people should regard it more as a catalyst, an opportunity to continue with a healthier lifestyle based on regular exercises, including jogging. By regularly practicing exercises, the health condition may be more prepared for the fortnight-long period of staying up to watch the Rio Games, starting in around 10 days.
Chinese Olympic swimming gold medalist Qian Hong was among the champions at the run. She said during her opening speech that "inspiring young people with sportsmanship, and making them stronger and more ready to face difficulties in life" is her and her fellow sportsmen's social responsibility.
Qian and other gold medalists participating all belong to the Champions Fund operating under the CSCLF, with Tang Jiuhong, a former international badminton champion, as the head of the CSCLF's department for funds.
Inviting the members from the vulnerable groups to participate in the jogging embodied the inclusiveness as advocated by the International Olympic Committee, so that they won't be felt left behind, said Jing Dunquan, vice chairman of the CSCLF.
Participants of the 5 km "Green Health Run" make warm-up preparations before the race starts on July 24, 2016 at the Beijing Olympic Center, the venue for the 1990 Asian Games. [Photo by Chen Boyuan / China.org.cn] |
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