On Tuesday evening, in front of a roaring crowd at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center swimming and diving hall, Wang Zongyuan stood poised at the edge of the springboard. He launched into a series of flawless flips, cutting cleanly into the water after his sixth dive.

By the end of the event, the Olympic champion had secured gold in the men's 1m springboard at China's 15th National Games in Guangzhou — a victory that added another title to his career's honor roll.

The night before, Wang had helped his home region of Hubei take a silver medal in the men's team event.

A dual Olympic gold medalist in synchronized diving and a newly minted four-time world champion, Wang is already a linchpin of China's men's 3m springboard program.

His victory on Tuesday offered little surprise.

His presence also provides a steadying influence for younger teammates. Zheng Jiuyuan, who took bronze in the 1m springboard, said: "I just follow Wang Zongyuan's lead," referring to their newly formed partnership in synchronized diving. When asked about their strengths, Zheng noted confidently: "Our technical consistency is probably our strong advantage."

Despite others' admiration for him, self-doubt still lingers for the 24-year-old Wang, who explains that diving is a sport rife with uncertainties.

His career has been filled with both triumphs and near-misses, particularly in the individual 3m springboard event. Despite his Olympic victories in synchronized diving at both the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, and recent wins at the Singapore World Championships, the individual gold has eluded him.

"Stepping onto the platform doesn't mean you will secure the gold. Overthinking can be harmful. You have to take it step by step," he said.

Preparing for the National Games, Wang dedicated himself to meticulous mental and physical preparation, including handling the grueling transitions between late-night team events and early morning individual competitions.

"It's not just about raw talent," he said. "It's about the effort you put in when nobody is watching."

Winning his first individual gold medal in the 1m springboard at the National Games was a personal triumph, which means a lot to the experienced diver.

"I didn't expect to win such a valuable gold medal here. It gives me a boost and reaffirms the confidence I need moving forward," Wang reflected. "I'll approach the upcoming 3m individual event with the same mindset — calm and confident, diving with everything I've got."

Though the 1m springboard is a non-Olympic discipline, it remains the foundation for every springboard diver, including Wang.

"There have been disappointments and setbacks, but I always remind myself to return to the basics. It keeps me grounded," he explained. "The 1m springboard is where I started, and it's where I continue to find motivation."

At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Wang partnered with the seasoned veteran Xie Siyi to win gold in synchronized 3m springboard, and says he is now ready to take on a similar role in the team.

As Xie faces the physical challenges of aging, including injuries, Wang is determined to pursue the double gold in both synchronized and individual events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

From a young boy swimming with floaties in the Yangtze River and a teenager who briefly questioned whether to leave the sport behind, to now being a key member of China's diving "Dream Team", Wang's rise has been marked by solid effort and unwavering dedication.

"The four years after Paris 2024 is like a game of chess — every move matters," Wang said. "The next Olympics will be even tougher, but my goal remains unchanged: double gold. I'll keep pushing forward, step by step, towards that target."

XINHUA

Taller and heavier, but still as precise as she has ever been, China's diving sensation Quan Hongchan refuses to be written off at the elite level just yet as she overcomes severe physical challenges to shine at the 15th National Games.

The nation's quadrennial sporting extravaganza, which has kicked off some of its 419 medal events before Sunday's official opening ceremony, is being held across boundaries for the first time — in Guangdong province and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

After being sidelined from competitions for about half a year due to injuries, Quan, a three-time Olympic gold winner, has returned to the spotlight amid doubts about her current level of preparedness and her future in international competitions, particularly her chances of making it to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

She is no longer the petite 14-year-old who, at the 2020 Tokyo Games, became one of the youngest Chinese divers to win an Olympic gold, or the more mature teenager who clinched gold twice at the 2024 Paris Games. Her larger body frame and six-month hiatus notwithstanding, Quan, now 18, has maintained the striking quality of her dives.

The teen master of the "splash-disappearing technique", which refers to her delicate body control to keep water splashes at the minimum during a dive, delivered once again on Sunday.

In the women's synchronized 10-meter platform diving team event, Quan made a strong return, partnering with newcomer Wang Weiying. The duo displayed remarkable synchronicity and composure, earning a top combined score over three rounds and securing the first gold medal in diving for Team Guangdong, successfully defending its National Games title.

Quan's home crowd at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center Swimming and Diving Hall welcomed her with the loudest cheers, while her legion of social media fans — around 3.75 million on Sina Weibo — celebrated her comeback online.

The hashtag "Quan Hongchan returns to win" garnered nearly 62 million views on Weibo as of Thursday, and she was among the top trending topics related to the National Games on social media.

"I am awesome," Quan herself posted an encouragement on Weibo following Guangdong's team victory.

Quan's impressive form despite her injuries signals that she is far from retirement.

Referring to the prospect of diving against her star teammate in the individual event at the 2028 Olympics, Quan's partner Wang said, "I hope I can be her rival. Apparently, she's not recovered to her best form yet, but I hope she will continue working hard on her way back to the peak."

In 2021, Quan became a household name after winning the 10m platform gold at the Tokyo Olympics, which was deferred because of the COVID-19 pandemic. She redefined the benchmark of elite diving by effortlessly pulling off some of the world's most difficult dives.

The pull of gravity felt stronger as Quan grew at least 15 centimeters taller and 10 kilograms heavier by the time of the Paris Olympics. However, she beat the challenges with countless extra hours on her fitness program, which eventually paid rich dividends. Quan edged out national teammate Chen Yuxi to retain her individual title in Paris, and added a third career Olympic gold in the synchro event with Chen.

Quan will miss another duel against Chen, who is representing Shanghai, in Monday's individual final, because she hasn't signed up for the event to keep the intensity of her return in check.

He Weiyi, head coach of the Guangdong diving team, said that Quan has overcome tougher-than-expected challenges to make it to the National Games. "She is competing while still nursing injuries to her (right) tibia and ankle joints, and her body has kinesiology tapes all over to protect her muscles from overstretching," he said. "It's extremely tough for her, as she endures severe pain every day. She has to apply ice packs to her leg between each round during both practice and competitions."

The National Games was Quan's first competition since she last dived competitively at the World Aquatics Diving World Cup Super Final in May in Beijing.

Chen, 20, a close friend of Quan, has emerged as a favorite for the individual title at the 2028 Olympics, after she claimed a record-extending fourth world championship title in 10m platform in July in Singapore.

Whether it is Quan making a comeback and reigning supreme again or a mature Chen finishing on top, the intriguing rivalry between the duo is expected to keep the diving world stoked in the run-up to the next Olympics.

Contact the writers at zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn

The 15th National Games will officially open in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, on Sunday. Besides the 419 gold medals in 34 competition events for professional athletes, 166 gold medals will be on offer for the participants in 23 amateur competitions and exhibition events.

Alongside traditional Olympic sports such as table tennis, badminton, tennis and soccer, the competition category includes traditional Chinese games such as shuttlecock kicking, dragon boat racing, Go, Chinese chess, Chinese wrestling and gateball. The exhibition sports cover fitness qigong, tai chi, dragon and lion dances, and physical exercise to radio music. They drew over 1 million people in the preliminary rounds that were held before the official opening of the games; with some 11,000 participants entering the finals.

The 13th National Games in Tianjin in 2017 first opened the door to amateurs when more than 7,600 amateur athletes competed in 126 events of 19 popular sports events such as tai chi, Chinese chess, roller sports, marathons and rock climbing. Four years later in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, the 14th National Games added square dancing and physical exercise to radio music.

These events are tailored to the host cities' characteristics. Thus Tianjin featured model aircraft and ship events, reflecting its coastal identity, while Shaanxi included martial arts and wrestling, showcasing the "Northwest spirit" of resilience and strength.

The 15th National Games, which will be held in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, have included sports such as orienteering, to be held in Maoming city, which boasts mountains, sea, rural and urban landscapes; and dragon and lion dances, popular in South China.

Traditional activities such as dragon boat racing and dragon and lion dances help preserve cultural heritage, while emerging sports such as orienteering and breakdancing capture the imagination of younger generations.

The games have created a platform for social interaction and community building. Whether it is the camaraderie among "old buddies" in gateball — a team sport similar to croquet; the new friendships forged in orienteering — an outdoor sport where participants navigate through unfamiliar terrain; or the vibrant energy of young people in breakdancing — a dynamic style of street dance that originated from hip-hop culture, sports bring people of different age groups together.

Through these events, the true value of the sports extends far beyond the competitions themselves. As more individuals are inspired by sports to step out of their homes, the movement toward nationwide fitness gains momentum.

"Develop physical culture and sport, and strengthen the physique of the people" was the call when the inaugural National Games was held in Beijing in 1959, as the nation was in the process of rebuilding itself. More than six decades later, China has transformed the concept of national fitness into a reality and turned slogans into action, which has become a powerful catalyst for public health initiatives. Sports have moved beyond being the exclusive domain of elite athletes to become a driving force for "national happiness" on China's path to rejuvenation.

By offering a diverse range of events and fostering social connections, the National Games have made sports accessible and appealing to all. The influence is not limited to the variety of the events; they are an ongoing legacy that continues to inspire individuals to lead active, healthy lives. As more people participate in sporting activities, the vision of nationwide fitness becomes a reality, ushering in a new era where the benefits of physical activity are enjoyed by all.

At the Greater Bay Area Conference 2025, Hong Kong fencing champion Vivian Kong Man-wai shared her hopes for the upcoming National Games. She said she hopes that everyone enjoys the games, feels healthier and happier through their love of sports, and has fun while showcasing the beauty of our city to the world!

An opening ceremony of the 15th National Games will kick off on the evening of November 9. Here's a sneak peek at the warm-up performance — a dazzling fusion of Lingnan traditions and modern creativity that captures the energy, passion, and vibrancy of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.

The 15th National Games, jointly organized by Guangdong province and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, have helped improve infrastructure and advance rural vitalization.

To prepare for the country's largest comprehensive sports gala, relevant departments in Guangzhou, Guangdong's provincial capital, have vigorously improved the city's ecological environment, accelerated urban and rural construction, and promoted the integrated development of culture, sports and tourism, authorities said.

In Langtou village in Guangzhou's Huadu district, great changes have taken place thanks to the Games, which will take place between Nov 9 and 21.

"Taking advantage of the opportunity offered by the National Games, Langtou has promoted the integration of agriculture, culture and tourism, presenting a new look to attract tourists from home and abroad in previous years," said Huang Zhiyun, Party chief of the village.

Rows of stand-alone homestays renovated from old houses now boast distinctive features. With brand-new designs, they blend elegance and modern style, appealing particularly to urban visitors.

According to Huang, Chinese online retailer Vipshop signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Huadu district government in September 2021 to promote the Langtou village rural vitalization project.

"Taking cultural revitalization as the entry point in Langtou, Vipshop has invited a renowned domestic university's architectural team to redesign the village and, through public welfare investment, is exploring a sustainable model for its high-quality development," Huang said.

"So far, the company has invested more than 300 million yuan ($42 million), along with another 100 million yuan in government investment for infrastructure and supporting facilities, reviving the charm of the large ancient village and making it a new tourist attraction in the city," Huang said.

Located in Tanbu township of Huadu district, Langtou, founded during the late Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), has a history of more than 700 years. It boasts a large-scale and well-preserved complex of ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing (1368-1911) dynasties, which is rare in the Pearl River Delta region.

In Guangzhou's downtown area, a new cruise ship named Quanyunhao, or "National Games", officially began its maiden voyage from Tianzi Pier in Yuexiu district in late October, allowing tourists and passengers to enjoy the scenic views along the Pearl River that flows through the city.

The ship, which mainly broadcasts the theme songs of the National Games during the event, has attracted many tourists from home and abroad.

Huang Haoan, an executive with Guangzhou Public Transport Group's Liner Co, said the total screen area inside and outside the ship exceeds 100 square meters, enabling live broadcasts of the National Games and event interactions.

"The ship also innovatively applies 3D holographic projection technology, which can transform images into diverse visual forms and provide an immersive, futuristic technology experience for event services and the Pearl River night tour," Huang said, adding that a virtual greeter on board introduces the city's bridges and historical buildings.

With less than a week left before the 15th National Games kick off on Nov 9, thousands of athletes from across China have arrived in the Greater Bay Area.

As the games are being co-hosted by Guangdong province and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, it is particularly tough for athletes from the northern region, which is experiencing lower temperatures, in some places even snowfall. Apart from the challenge of performing well, athletes from the northern region are also learning to adjust to the relatively higher temperatures in the south.

Thus, for many athletes, the overnight relocation from colder to warmer climes is one of the unique characteristics of the 15th National Games.

It is worth mentioning here that China is one of the few countries that organizes such a multi-sport event once every four years. Teams representing different provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and industrial sectors fight it out for the honor of their sponsors.

The upcoming National Games will be a sports gala that attracts wide attention, in which 36,000 athletes are going to compete for 585 medal events in 57 sports categories. To get a perspective, the Paris Olympics held last year drew 10,500 athletes who competed in 329 medal events representing 32 sports categories.

Of the 57 sports categories in the contention during the National Games, 34 are very much similar to those contested in the Olympic Games. The rest are mostly traditional Chinese sports such as dragon boat racing, wushu (Chinese martial arts) and shuttlecock kicking. Another unique thing about these games is that before the opening ceremony in Guangzhou, more than 70 contestants would have already been awarded gold medals in various categories. This is because there are too many events and it is just not possible for the host city or region to organize them within the two weeks of the games. Therefore, some contests will be held prior to the opening ceremony.

Inaugurated in 1959, the National Games of China were designed to promote sports in China. Prior to 1959, modern competitive sports hardly existed in the country except in a few schools and universities. For two decades after that, the National Games were the highest level of sports events in China, which was then facing political, economic and cultural sanctions imposed by Western nations. When I was young, we boys talked about and idolized only the champions of the National Games, not because they were any superior but because we were totally ignorant about global sports events and global champs.

China's opening-up in the late 1970s as well as the popularity of TV sets introduced Chinese people to European Leagues and NBA games. The country's participation in the Olympic Games and the world championships further broadened fans' horizon regarding high-level competitive sports. As Chinese players began winning more medals at Olympic events, the National Games gradually began losing its luster for local sports fans.

In fact, there have been suggestions that the National Games should be cancelled because it costs a lot of resources while few fans are following it. They argue that many other countries don't have such a multi-sport event and are still doing alright. However, the growing scale of the National Games shows that the sports authorities have wisely ignored such suggestions.

China treats the National Games as an occasion to promote non-Olympic sports among the people. Being held a year after the Olympic Games, the National Games serve as a platform for hundreds of talents to fight it out and get enlisted in preparation for the next Olympics and other world championships. In fact, China's impressive performances in the global sports arena in the past decades should largely be attributed to the talent pool that emerges during the National Games.

What's more, the National Games are probably the only important national platform for athletes engaging in traditional Chinese sports to show off their skills. Without government encouragement and support, some of these sports may eventually disappear.

May the 15th National Games be a success!

The author is former deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

If you have a specific expertise, or would like to share your thought about our stories, then send us your writings at opinion@chinadaily.com.cn, and comment@chinadaily.com.cn.

Chinese Olympic gold medalist Quan Hongchan led the Guangdong women's diving team to a championship win at the National Games on Sunday night.

It was Quan's first return to the pool after having been absent from domestic and international competitions for 183 days due to injuries.

The Olympian and social media influencer earned waves of cheers and screams from the spectators on-site when she demonstrated her special water splash disappearance technique in the swimming pool.

Quan, who was paired with Wang Weiying, came in first in women's synchronized 10m platform, beating her former teammate Chen Yuxi, who was paired with Zhang Minjie, representing Shanghai.

The teenage diving prodigy will also compete the women's synchronized 10m platform, but she will be absent from women's 10m platform individual to avoid worsening her injures.

Quan, the county's youngest athlete to have won three Olympic gold medals, became a freshman of Guangzhou-based Jinan University in September.

She won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 when she made her major international competition debut at the age of 14.

Quan then defended her title in Paris Olympics in 2024 and won women's synchronized 10m platform alongside Chen Yuxi.

The National Games were jointly held by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

China's upcoming 15th National Games marked a historic milestone on Sunday, with its first cross-boundary torch relay held with great fanfare simultaneously in four cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Following the relay launch ceremony in the southern coastal city of Shenzhen, Guangdong province, the torch for the quadrennial multisport event was carried by 200 torchbearers, 50 each in Shenzhen, the provincial capital Guangzhou, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao SAR.

In another first, the "source flame "for the torch relay was obtained directly from the ocean floor. In early October, it was ignited using combustible ice collected from the Haima cold seep at a depth of 1,522 meters in the South China Sea.

Addressing the ceremony in Shenzhen, Governor of Guangdong Meng Fanli called the torch relay a brilliant interpretation of the Chinese sporting spirit and the Olympic spirit, and said it will undoubtedly gather tremendous momentum for advancing the cause of building a strong nation and promoting national rejuvenation.

The relay is a vivid demonstration of the institutional advantages of the "one country, two systems "policy and the achievements made in the construction of the Greater Bay Area, which will surely draw the world's attention more closely to Guangdong, to the GBA and to China, he said.

Li Jiayi, a Yueju Opera actress and winner of the Chinese Drama Plum Blossom Award, said she felt honored to be selected as a torchbearer for the Guangzhou leg of the relay. "We carry not only the flame for the National Games, but also the cultural fire passed down from generation to generation," she added.

Another torchbearer, Liu Pingyun, a professor at Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, said the relay showcased the region's history, culture and vitality, as torchbearers ran past landmarks in Guangzhou, including iconic buildings and scenic spots.

It also served as an opportunity to showcase the region's high-tech future, with Kuavo, the world's first 5G-A humanoid robot torchbearer, making its debut in Shenzhen.

In the Hong Kong SAR, acting chief executive Eric Chan Kwok-ki said the relay fully showcased the distinctive advantages of the Greater Bay Area, and highlighted the city's role as an international metropolis.

On Nov 9, representatives from the four cities will bring the torch flames to the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center in Guangzhou, and the flames will be merged into a single flame, which will then light the main cauldron at the opening ceremony of the games.

MACAO -- The torch relay for the Macao session of China's 15th National Games was held on Sunday morning, filling the city with festive energy and pride as the flame made its way through some of Macao's most iconic landmarks.

The relay began at the headquarters of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government. Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai lit the first torch and handed it to Li Yi, who won the women's changquan gold medal for Macao at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023.

Covering a total distance of about 2.6 kilometers across the Macao Peninsula, the route passed several renowned landmarks and concluded at the Ruins of St. Paul's, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a total of 50 torchbearers participating.

The final torchbearer Kuok Kin-hang, who won a bronze medal in the men's karate at the 14th National Games to become Macao's first-ever medalist at the Games, carried the flame up the steps in front of the Ruins of St. Paul's and lit the cauldron amid cheers.

"I feel very honored and happy to be the final torchbearer," he told Xinhua, adding that it can be an experience "remembered for a lifetime."

The torch relay for the 15th National Games was held simultaneously on Sunday in Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, marking the first cross-boundary torch relay in the history of the Games and the first time the torch has been carried in Hong Kong and Macao.

SHENZHEN -- China's National Games celebrated a milestone on Sunday as its first cross-boundary torch relay is held simultaneously in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, with one week before the Games opens.

Following the launch ceremony in the southern coastal city of Shenzhen, the torch relay started in Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou and Shenzhen - four key cities of the Greater Bay Area.

200 torchbearers from all walks of life will carry the flame, including physicist Xue Qikun and former Olympic diving champion Yang Jinghui.

The "source flame" was extracted and ignited from combustible ice lying more than 1,500 meters beneath the surface of the South China Sea in September.

Following the relay, the torch flames from the four cities will converge in Guangzhou later on Sunday, at Guangdong Olympic Sports Center to be merged into a single flame, which will light the main cauldron at the opening ceremony of the 15th National Games on November 9.

Volunteers from Guangdong province, Hong Kong, and Macao are joining forces to support the upcoming 15th National Games, an initiative that organizers say will deepen regional cooperation and youth exchange across the Greater Bay Area.

"The practice helps explore a collaborative development path for volunteer services in Guangdong," said Wang Hao, deputy director of major events and volunteer service department of the Games' Guangdong division organizing committee, during a press conference on Friday.

The Games, jointly hosted for the first time by Guangdong and the two special administrative regions, will open on Nov 9 in Guangzhou.

After a rigorous selection process, Guangdong has recruited 30,000 volunteers from 17 host cities and 99 universities, including 389 from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese communities.

"Each volunteer must undergo systematic training and assessment to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the event requirements before they can begin their service," said Wang.

To encourage public participation, volunteers from transportation hubs, shopping districts, tourist sites, and cultural squares will assist visitors throughout the Games. Sectors such as ride-hailing, food delivery, and courier services are also being encouraged to offer convenient and friendly support, Wang said.

In addition, 24 professional emergency teams from across the province have conducted drills to ensure safety and smooth operations during the event.

Volunteer enthusiasm is strong beyond Guangdong. In Hong Kong, more than 30,000 people have applied, marking the largest volunteer activity in the city's history. Since its launch in February 2023, the Macao division's program has drawn broad support from the public and social organizations, with 3,500 volunteers already serving in hotels and event venues.

To strengthen coordination, the three divisions have established a regular communication mechanism, shared training materials, and exchanged instructors. "We have launched a unified cultural identity for the volunteer service theme, shared training course materials, and exchanged training instructors for mutual learning and practice, consolidating efforts to collaboratively deliver outstanding volunteer services for the Games," said Wang.