From Hangzhou's remarkable venues to the cultural significance of Dragon Boat racing, Thomas Konietzko from International Canoe Federation explained why Dragon Boat is more than a sport. How did an ancient Chinese tradition evolve into an emblem of unity and athleticism across borders?
Thomas Konietzko: I was in Hangzhou in March, and I was able to see for myself the breathtaking scenery of venues equipped with complete facilities, and I could learn more about the professional preparation of Hangzhou organizers. So, I'm more than confident that we will experience great competitions, exciting competitions on one of the best venues I have ever seen in the world.
Liu Xin: Dragon Boat was traditionally a Chinese watercraft pedaling activity for more than 2,000 years. So why does it fit in with the culture of the ICF, and what sets it into the same category of canoe and kayak instead of rowing or other sports? Help us understand that better.
Thomas Konietzko: We know very well that the Dragon Boat has started this triumphant march around the world from China. In the meantime, many of our 175 national federations now organize Dragon Boat races around the world and bring Chinese culture closer to people around the world. Dragon Boat is more than a sport. It's a way of life. Therefore, the Dragon Boat sport is the best ambassador for China's culture. In the meantime, it has also become a part of our ICF culture because it's simply a great sport.
Liu Xin: Do you think the Dragon Boat race will be embraced by people in other countries, in other nations?
Thomas Konietzko: We cannot compare Dragon Boat with any of our other disciplines because Dragon Boat is so special. And many countries in the world, many canoe federations learn how important Dragon Boat, paddling together, this special spirit is for kids and adults to do sport. It's not only about high-performance sports. It's simply also about recreational sport. I think this special spirit makes Dragon Boat so unique, and it's very difficult for me to compare it with other sports, but nowhere in our other disciplines can you experience this special atmosphere.
