As a major center for dragon boat racing, Wenzhou city in Zhejiang province is bringing the traditional Chinese custom into the modern realm as it prepares to host the sport at next year's Asian Games.

The dragon boat competition for Hangzhou 2022 will be staged at the newly constructed Wenzhou Dragon Boat Sports Center, where six gold medals will be up for grabs.

The pleasant climate in Wenzhou, which enjoys four distinct seasons and abundant rainfall, makes it an ideal location for dragon boat racing, while the race center is conveniently located in the city's central Ouhai district with excellent rail links.

Jin Kai, secretary-general of the Wenzhou Dragon Boat Association, told China Daily that dragon boats have a special meaning for local residents.

"Every year when we hold dragon boat activities, those at home and abroad will rush home and reunite with their families," said Jin.

"Everyone in the boat works together, gradually forming the dragon boat spirit, which is the quality of daring to be first, working together to overcome difficulties, battle through adversity, and work hard."

Zhang Zhihong, director of Wenzhou Sports Bureau, echoed those sentiments, saying: "Dragon boat racing is a traditional sport and cultural tradition in Wenzhou, so it is deeply loved by Wenzhou people.

"Wenzhou is an ideal location for holding dragon boat races for the Hangzhou Asian Games. The city has developed into a world-class dragon boat base, with a rich history in the traditional custom. It has also hosted many competitions in recent years, such as the amateur dragon boat finals for the 14th National Games this year.

"Our staff and venue managers now have vast experience in staging large-scale events and we are ready for the Hangzhou Asian Games.

"We also hope to take advantage of the opportunity of hosting the Games' dragon boat races to build a dragon boat museum and a dragon boat cultural park, and promote Chinese dragon boat culture to the world," Zhang added.

The Dragon Boat Sports Center, widely regarded as the most professional venue of its kind in China and even Asia, covers a total land area of 1,052 mu (70.13 hectares).

It features a dragon boat docking facility, an Olympic sports center, a hotel, two residential communities, waterfront green areas and support roads.

Besides the dragon boat center, Wenzhou Sports Center and Wenzhou Olympic Sports Center will also serve as competition venues for soccer matches at the Asian Games.

Sticking to the concept of constructing "green, smart, economical, and convenient" facilities, the stadiums meet the requirements of both the Asian Games and the daily recreational and sporting needs of local residents.

"Lighting, the playing surfaces, fire protection, interior decoration, power supply, water supply and drainage are being modified to meet the standards of the Hangzhou Asian Games," said Yang Wenjun, chief of the engineering equipment section of Wenzhou Sports Center.

To ensure the soccer pitch is of the highest quality, a special system has been installed which collects data from 18 sensors planted in the soil. The sensors transmit data to a cloud platform, which can be viewed on mobile phones and computers. Maintenance is then carried out on the pitch based on the data.

With some matches being played in the evening, the stadium is equipped with a smart light system that not only meets high-definition broadcast needs, but also provides a more comfortable environment for both athletes and spectators through its precise light-control technology.

Wenzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium comprises a 50,000-seat main arena, and a standard outdoor training ground with a 400-meter running track.

"The construction of Wenzhou Olympic Sports Center has not only enriched the daily lives of the residents in Longwan district, but also improved the entire city's quality of life as more and more residents participate in sports activities," Wei Zhongyan, manager of the engineering department of Wenzhou Sports Development Investment Group Co. Ltd, told China Daily.

"In addition, as the Olympic Sports Center becomes more and more popular, it will also promote the development of nearby catering and hotel industries, and increase the income of locals," Wei added.

Asian Games organizers have confirmed that three new venues in Hangzhou-namely Qiantang Roller-skating Center, Fuyang Aquatic Sports Center and Fuyang Silver Lake Sports Center-all recently passed comprehensive appraisal procedures.

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