Six Wenzhou athletes have been selected to join Team China for the upcoming Paris Olympics. The announcement was made during the city's sports work conference on May 30, by Lin Xiaolu, director of Wenzhou sports bureau.
The selected athletes, swimmers Xu Jiayu, Pan Zhanle, and Liu Yaxin, as well as Zheng Siwei (badminton), Wen Zaiding (sailing), and Huang Jingye (windsurfing), reflect the city's diverse sporting talent.
Pan's recent triumph at the 2024 Doha Swimming World Championships, where he secured four gold medals and set a new world record in the men's 100m freestyle, has been a highlight.
Wenzhou's commitment to sports development was evident as the city hosted the recent Hangzhou Asian Games division and made significant strides in public fitness and competitive sports.
The city's sports bureau has outlined a comprehensive plan to support the athletes in their preparations for the Paris Olympics, with personalized strategies to ensure peak performance. Additionally, efforts are being made to engage the overseas Chinese community in France to participate in and support the Olympic events.
Wenzhou has also been active in securing rights to host major sports events, including the 2024 National International Wrestling Championships, and has seen a surge in grassroots sports facilities usage.
Looking ahead, Wenzhou is determined to become a national football development city as it launches the "Strong City Cup" Football Series. The city is also focusing on dragon boat racing, aiming to host international competitions and establish a world-class event center.
With plans to organize over 1,000 mass sports events, Wenzhou is set to ignite a fitness craze and nurture its own brand, marking a new chapter in the city's sporting legacy.
