Countdown begins for capital’s track and field showpiece

With one year to go before the track and field showpiece returns to Beijing, the Chinese capital is racing ahead with its preparations for the World Athletics Championships in 2027.

Eleven years after staging the prestigious athletics meet for the first time in 2015, Beijing is getting set to welcome as many as 2,000 elite runners, jumpers and throwers from nearly 200 countries and regions back to the National Stadium for 10 days of what are sure to be a thrilling event from Sept 10-19 next year.

To mark the start of the one-year countdown, local organizers in Beijing, the sport's national governing body and World Athletics jointly released the event's emblem, mascot and slogan at a celebratory occasion at the iconic 2008 Olympics main stadium, aka the "Bird's Nest", on Thursday.

Sima Hong, vice-mayor of Beijing, said the city's preparatory work for hosting is the Championships is on track and progressing well.

"Twelve years on, the event's return shows World Athletics' full trust in Beijing's hosting capability," she said. "It empowers the city to carry forward its Olympic heritage and develop into a renowned destination for international sporting events."

Tong Lixin, a deputy director of the General Administration of Sport of China, hailed the return of the worlds as another opportunity to promote athletics events in China.

"While pushing ahead with the preparatory and organizational work to the highest international standards, we are also preparing our own athletes to reach their peak form to deliver breakthrough performances on home soil," said Tong.

"Through hosting the event again, we will also focus on better promoting the sport as the grassroots level while deepening international exchanges in the development of athletics events."

As the main visual identity of the event, the emblem "Jingyue" integrates the Chinese character "jing" and the silhouette of the Temple of Heaven with traditional brushwork. Its dynamic lines depict a running athlete, blending classic Chinese culture with athletic vitality, while a colorful track symbolizes global sports diversity and inclusiveness.

Named "Jingyan", the event's official mascot is modeled after the Beijing swift, echoing the 2015 edition's mascot, which was also designed based on the city's native bird species, to mark the championships' 12-year return.

Combining traditional kite craft and Peking Opera elements, the design embodies the speed, strength and grace of track and field sports.

The official slogan "Each Step Counts" encapsulates the essence of track and field. It celebrates the efforts of every elite competitor and ordinary sports enthusiast alike, highlighting the value of athletic endeavors whatever the level.

Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics, sent his best wishes for the Beijing championships in a video message during the celebration on Thursday, expressing his confidence in witnessing another spectacular showpiece next year.

"When it comes to hosting major sporting events, I don't think many have a more distinguished track record than Beijing," said Coe, who was elected the sixth president of the athletics world governing body right in Beijing before the 2015 championships.

"It stands as the first city to successfully deliver both the Summer and Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, having done so in 2008 and 2022, respectively.

"I have no doubt that (the city) will deliver a championships to the highest standard and provide an unforgettable experience to the entire athletics family," said the back-to-back 1,500m Olympic champion (1980, 1984) of Britain.

China's track and field legend Gong Lijiao, a silver medalist in women's shot put at the 2015 home event and gold winner at the Rio 2016 Olympics, also shared her anticipation for the showpiece event.

Gong recalled her participation in the 2015 Beijing championships. She encouraged young athletes to train hard and seize the home-field opportunity to challenge their personal bests next year.

"Competing at home back then, I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the home crowd. But it was such a pity that I missed the top of the podium by just seven centimeters," Gong, who retired at the end of last year, said.

The Olympic champion described the Bird's Nest as a sacred stage of honor for track and field athletes. She encouraged the younger generation of Chinese athletes to make the most of the precious home advantage.

"Stay calm, show your true strength and don't get nervous," Gong advised young domestic competitors. "Cherish this extraordinary moment, strive for your best performance, and leave no regrets — I hope they can raise the national flag and hear the national anthem ring out at the Bird's Nest."

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn