Chengdu: Gearing up to be Host City for World Sporting Events
3 November 2020
Unbeknownst to many Australians and others around the world, Chengdu is fast gaining an international reputation as a host city for major sporting competitions. Chengdu has set itself a goal to be a “world city of sports events” in its multi-year urban development master plan.
Over the past few years, Chengdu has been actively attracting big international tournaments that has put it on the world sporting map. Chengdu already has runs on the board, such as hosting the World Police and Fire Games in 2019, which had 100 events and brought together more than 8,000 athletes from 79 countries. Chengdu also hosted international events including the FIE Women’s Epee World Cup, the ITU Triathlon World Cup, the Chengdu Marathon, and the Festival International des Sports Extremes Olympic qualifying tournament.
Impressively, Chengdu has also won bids to hold the upcoming 31st Universiade in August 2021, the 56th World Table Tennis Championship in 2022, and the 12th World Games in 2025. As Chengdu scores more international sporting events, it will no doubt look to hosting the highly prized Summer Olympics one day.
The Australian Consulate-General in Chengdu facilitated Port Adelaide Football Club’s Power Footy program in Chengdu. Credit: DFAT
On the back of guidelines published by the General Office of the State Council, cities across China now have the imperative to quicken the pace of implementing Healthy China 2030 and the National Fitness Program. Local governments will pump money and resources into constructing and renovating over 1000 sports parks across the country during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25). With the guidelines also stipulating that sporting and school grounds, and other outdoor facilities ought to be low cost or free for the general public when not in use for official events, the sports sector is set to boom in China over the next decade.
There is more to come. Chengdu has been on the front foot constructing world class sporting facilities, and is actually building a whole new city to the east called the Eastern New Area to spur the development of smart manufacturing, aviation, environmental and sports industries. Estimated to cost over RMB 26 billion (over $5 billion) and covering around 86 sq km, the Tianfu Olympic Sports City is currently being built in the New Area and will become the nucleus of a sports-related economy driven by tourism, conventions and exhibitions, and other complementary industries including media and sports medicine and science. The new campus of the Chengdu Sports University will also be built nearby.
Chengdu is steadfastly developing sports industries and sports-related expertise such as sports management, medicine, rehabilitation, as well as event management and business development. Under its ambitious strategy, Chengdu aims to develop at least three local listed sports companies by 2025, with the total sports industry amounting to RMB 150 billion (around $30 billion).
Scheduled for 16-27 August 2021, Universiade will showcase Chengdu’s newest sports facilities – hosting 18 sports such as gymnastics, swimming, badminton, archery, and the more recently included Wushu (Kung-Fu). Credit: DFAT
Chengdu is actively working with international partners, including Australia, to boost its sporting capabilities. Australia is highly regarded for its sporting prowess and people who are passionate in sports and active lifestyle. Our track record in sharing major sporting event expertise is impressive, with diverse, innovative and cutting edge solutions being tailored for major international sporting events across the globe.
I am delighted that Tennis Australia has already partnered with the Chengdu government to hold the annual The Belt and Road Chengdu-Australian Open University Tennis Championship. The event helps to boost Chengdu’s profile on the international sporting map, and introduce tennis enthusiasts to Chengdu. It is also an excellent way to showcase Australian expertise in holding international tennis competitions.
Sports facilities are commonly seen in residential communes. Credit: DFAT
Chengdu’s strategy is as much to do with boosting its international recognition through high profile sports competitions, as well as encouraging a higher level of fitness among its citizens through taking up sports and active living. With this in mind Chengdu is building the Tianfu Greenway. Once completed in 2035, it will stretch 16,900 km, making it the longest greenway system in the world. It features a web of green lanes that surrounds and penetrates the city, riverside and forest parks and facilities to promote outdoor activities. The Greenway can also be used for international marathons and road cycling races.
As Chengdu positions itself to be internationally renowned for sporting events and builds a comprehensive sports infrastructure, supply chain and expertise, Australia is well placed to be part of this exciting growth trajectory. Our outstanding experience in the hosting two Olympic Games, five Commonwealth Games, annual international events such as the Australian Open, Melbourne Cup, Formula 1, and various rugby and cricket games among others, puts us in good stead. Chengdu offers exciting opportunities for Australian companies in sports and associated fields. Once travel restrictions are lifted, the Australian Consulate-General looks forward to Australian participants coming to Chengdu for the 2021 Universiade and the 2025 World Games.
Chengdu has been open to learning a range of sporting activities, from the traditional, to ones that I never expected, including archery, ice hockey and BMX freestyle. Credit: DFAT
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