Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Opening of China’s National Games marks return of major spectator events

Opening of China’s National Games marks return of major spectator events
September 17, 2021

China’s President Xi Jinping has declared the 14th National Games of China open with spectators in attendance for what is seen as a run up to Beijing Winter Olympics which commences in just 140 days.

Being staged in Shaanxi province wit major events in the provincial capital of Xi'an, the multi-sports event runs from 15th to 27th September with 20,000 athletes competing in 409 events in 35 sports.

This major event to be held in China with spectators since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, those wishing to attend events will have to provide a negative COVID test result 72 hours prior to entering any venues.

Being used to test run health restrictions ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, which run from 4th to 20th February next year, spectators are allowed to the Games provided they show a their negative COVID test result, with adults having to be fully vaccinated.

Held in their present form since 1959, the four-yearly games feature almost all the same sporting events as the summer Olympics.

Image: Fans at Shandong’s World Leisure Games.

About the author

Nigel Benton

Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management

Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia and New Zealand’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry. Having established the magazine in 1997, shortly after his relocation to Australia, he has managed its readership rising to over 11,500 and its acceptance as the industry journal for professionals in aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues.

In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.

Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.

Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.

Read more from this author

Related Articles

27th August 2021 - Hong Kong and Macau to partner Guangdong in hosting China’s 2025 National Games

9th August 2021 - Scaled down closing ceremony marks end of 2020 Tokyo Olympics

25th July 2021 - World Health Organization adviser says big sporting crowds should be banned

16th July 2021 - WTTC highlights need for international recognition of all approved COVID-19 vaccines

2nd April 2021 - South Korea moves forward with bid to co-host 2032 Olympics with North Korea

18th May 2021 - Construction advances on wave-like stadium centrepiece for 2021 Asian Youth Games

28th January 2021 - Chinese officials confident of completing preparations for a successful Beijing Winter Olympics

2nd December 2020 - Repurposed Beijing Water Cube becomes first venue completed for 2022 Winter Olympics

31st December 2020 - Olympic Council of Asia announces second postponement of 6th Asian Beach Games

18th December 2020 - OCA says esports will ‘add value’ to future Asian Games

30th November 2020 - Design revealed for new 63,000-seat Dalian Stadium

11th December 2020 - World Athletics announces second postponement of Nanjing’s World Athletics Indoor Championships

24th November 2020 - World Table Tennis secures Coca-Cola partnership

15th September 2020 - New Shanghai football stadium ready for match action

23rd August 2020 - Plans unveiled for new football stadium in China’s ancient capital

21st August 2020 - Beijing’s Workers’ Stadium demolished as part of China’s revamp of venue infrastructure

6th August 2020 - World Health Organization says large crowds for sporting events are unrealistic this year

10th July 2020 - China bans international sporting events until 2021

16th June 2020 - F1 looks to stage two Grand Prix in China this year

13th June 2020 - IOC Coordination Commission praises progress on Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics

25th May 2020 - Organisers report progress of venues for China’s next National Games

1st May 2020 - China looks to FIFA World Cup hosting with new football stadia

31st March 2020 - Chinese authorities maintain spectator ban for major sports leagues

4th March 2020 - Coronavirus fears sees AFL cancel Shanghai fixture

14th February 2020 - SportAccord convention to relocate from Beijing

12th February 2020 - Coronavirus continues to impact China’s sports events

5th February 2020 - Shanghai Sports Federation suspends all sporting events casting doubt on F1 Grand Prix

6th January 2020 - Chinese organisers move forward with 2022 Winter Olympics venues

3rd December 2019 - China looks to boost sport industry with potential new investment fund