Global youth gather for Olympic exchange

The 10th Youth Camp of the Chinese Olympic Committee officially opened on Monday at Beijing Sport University, welcoming 55 young representatives from 24 countries and regions for a program aimed at promoting the Olympic spirit and fostering global cooperation in sports.

Under the theme "Youth Together for an Olympic Future of Unity", the camp features expert lectures, dialogues with champions, cultural visits, and sports activities designed to inspire participants to carry forward and renew the Olympic spirit in the new era.

In their opening remarks, Zhang Jian, member of the Chinese Olympic Committee, executive vice-president of the Chinese Olympic Academy and president of Beijing Sport University, and Shen Jie, deputy secretary-general of the Chinese Olympic Committee, extended a warm welcome to all attendees. They encouraged the young participants to exchange ideas, deepen mutual understanding, and contribute their youthful energy to advancing the Olympic Movement.

Following the ceremony, Wang Beixing, world champion in speed skating, shared her personal journey in professional sports, reflecting on the challenges and triumphs that shaped her career. She underscored the value of sportsmanship and cultural exchange, urging participants to embrace the Olympic values in their own lives.

"Sport has become a lifestyle for many people," Wang said. "The Youth Camp of the Chinese Olympic Committee is a comprehensive platform for young people to exchange experiences in sports and culture. I hope it inspires all participants to maintain a lifelong passion for sports and to encourage others around them to do the same."

Participants also expressed enthusiasm for the exchange. Mohd Zulnizam Bin Ardianshah from Malaysia said he looked forward to learning from Chinese champions and their winning experiences.

Before the opening ceremony, participants took part in a lively ice-breaking session featuring traditional Chinese games such as fan painting, pitch-pot, and table tennis passing with chopsticks.

Zhong Yuanyue, a Chinese participant from Fujian, said: "Even though it was our first time meeting, our teamwork was amazing. I'm really happy we won first place. Our group included five international campers and three Chinese members."

Launched by the Chinese Olympic Committee, the Youth Camp is a long-standing initiative that connects young Olympic professionals from China and abroad. It aims to strengthen cooperation among National Olympic Committees and promote the Olympic spirit worldwide.

The 10th edition, held from Monday to Friday, is hosted by the Chinese Olympic Committee and co-organized by the China International Sports Exchange Center and Beijing Sport University.

Yin Yueqi contributed to the story.