Games bolster Guangzhou's global sports hub credentials

Tianhe Sports Center Stadium in Guangzhou,Guangdong province,is among the city's many National Games venues.

The ongoing15th National Games are playing a major role in helping Guangzhou,the Guangdong provincial capital,accelerate its development as an internationally renowned sports hub.

In addition to further raising Guangzhou's image at home and abroad,the National Games,which are being jointly hosted by Guangdong province and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao,have helped promote the city's sports industry development and spark public enthusiasm for sports participation,said Zhu Xiaoyi,deputy director of the Guangzhou division of the executive committee of the15th National Games.

"When we look at world-class cities around the globe,most are internationally renowned sports hubs that possess a wealth of sports venues and facilities,"said Zhu.

Zhu,also deputy director-general of Guangzhou municipal government,made the remarks at a news conference over the weekend.

After the Guangzhou division of the executive committee was officially established two years ago,the southern metropolis accelerated the renovation and construction of its sports venues to meet the requirements of a world-renowned sports city,he said.

According to Zhu,of62large-scale sports venues,30were selected for"targeted minor renovations".

"We promoted the quality improvement of both the interior and exterior of the venues in an integrated manner,ensuring they meet the requirements for both domestic and international competitions,"he said.

And,during the buildup to the15th National Games,specialized and innovative enterprises based in Guangzhou participated heavily in the preparations,contributing to the smooth hosting of the massive,multisport event.

"In table tennis,the Hawk-Eye challenge system being used is provided by Guangzhou-based enterprises,"Zhu noted.

"And for the opening ceremony on Nov9,we launched the world's firstof-its-kind power supply model,featuring high-reliability municipal power,plus new energy storage as the main supply,replacing the traditional diesel generator microgrid,"he added.

Zhu explained that the new model helped save about31metric tons of diesel consumption and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by around96tons per performance,adhering to the principle of hosting a"green,streamlined,safe and splendid"opening ceremony.

At the opening ceremony,a total of2,950volunteers transformed into"little dolphins"—nicknamed after the mascots of the National Games—creating a warm and efficient volunteer service network,ensuring the successful operation of the opening ceremony.

After the conclusion of the opening ceremony,they contributed to the efficient and orderly exit of the audience,which set new records.The venue was clear of all attendees in36minutes,and they boarded their return transportation within55minutes.

Since the start of the year,11,000volunteers have successfully completed support tasks for11large-scale events,with a total volunteer service time exceeding310,000hours,Zhu said.

Over the course of these historic cross-boundary Games,the hosting capability of the whole Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has enjoyed an international stamp of approval.

Thomas Bach,the IOC's honorary president for life,said that the GBA has the capability to one day host the Olympics.

"If you look at the scope of the National Games,they are bigger than the Olympic Games,"he told local media at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong last week after watching the first day of the rugby sevens.

"You have many world-class sports facilities,you have a sports-loving public,you have all the ingredients needed,so,one day,I think it would be a very good candidate for the Olympics,"he said,adding that the GBA should"go for it".

Already seeing the benefits of hosting the Games,Zhu said he is pleased to learn the competition venues in Guangzhou,including the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center,Tianhe Sports Center and the sports center at the Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center,have been fully booked to host events throughout2026,further strengthening Guangzhou's position as an international sports hub.

World Athletics chose Guangzhou as the host city when the2025World Athletics Relays Championships made its debut in China.

Attracting over70athletes from43countries and regions,Sebastian Coe,president of World Athletics,told the Yangcheng Evening News at the time that"Guangzhou is a city that truly understands the importance of sports...and its leadership clearly grasps the true value and meaning of sports."

Zhu said Guangzhou has hosted over240major international sports events since the2010Guangzhou Asian Games.

"So far this year,it has organized more than500sports events and activities at all levels and of various types,"he added.

Last year,Guangzhou's sports industry totaled237.23billion yuan($33.51billion),the fourth straight year it has exceeded200billion yuan,said Zhu.

He noted that the city's sports consumption was63.13billion yuan,with a per capita figure of3,345.51yuan,ranking among the highest in China.

zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn