Happy Chinese New Year
23 Jan 2012 12:42 PM
Happy Chinese New Year! All over China today the celebrations have started for the year of the Dragon. Traditionally, people born in the year of the Dragon are said to be confident and fearless in the face of challenge, so does this make them good sportsmen? This blog looks back over the history of Chinese sport.
Traditional Chinese culture regards physical fitness as an important aspect and, since the 20thCentury, a large number of sports activities, both western and traditionally Chinese, are popular in China.
The biggest amateur sports in China
Badminton, Ping-Pong, Basketball and football are all big sports in China; however Ping Pong is the biggest amateur recreational sport in China today.
China led the Gold medal count (51) at the 2008 summer Olympic Games which were held in Beijing from 8 August to 24 August 2008.
History of Chinese sport
Sport has formed an important part of the lives of the Chinese people ever since the beginning of the civilisation till the present day.
Archaeologists have unearthed evidence of certain health building sports that were played in China about 400 years ago. Hunting, Archery and rowing races are some of the earliest sports played by the people here say experts.
Dragon Boat racing dates back about 2500 years ago and remains a traditional event held around China every year. There is evidence that a similar sport to Football was played in China around 1000 AD, leading some modern historians to suggest that Football in fact originates in China.
National Fitness
The ‘physical Health Law of the People’s Republic of China’ was adopted in 1995. In the same year, the State Council promulgated the ‘Outline of National Physical Fitness Program’, followed by a series of rules and regulations. A survey revealed that:
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33.9% of the population between 7 and 70 exercise regularly
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60.7% of the urban population go to sports clubs to engage in fitness activities
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It is expected that by the end of 2005, 37% of China’s total population will participate in regular physical exercises, and over 95% of students will meet the National Physical Exercise Standard.
In this 15 year long program, the government aims to build a sport and health-building service system for the general public. There are about 620,000 gymnasiums and stadiums across China, most of them open to and widely used by the general public.
New start
It is clear that China is a very healthy Nation. This Chinese New Year lets join together and participate in more sports to improve our health and contribute to a healthier Britain.