Above the Pearl River, 45 glittering flower boats paraded, breaking the spatial barriers of the opening ceremony of the sports gala - this was the declaration of innovation for the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. There are more than 700 athletes from 43 countries and regions competed at the “the same runway as Su Bingtian’s” at Tianhe Sports Center. This embodies the endless charm of the World Athletics Relays as an international event.

        Guangzhou, a business city with thousand years history. It used countless classic moments to construct the urban sports character belong itself - International Event Center.

        In November this year, when the war drums of the 15th National Games and the Special Olympics for the Disabled were beaten in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay area, Guangzhou as the centre competition area, it will once again embrace highlight moments. The 15th National Games and the National Paralympic & Special Olympic Games will not only be another comprehensive demonstration and strength verification of Guangzhou’s positioning as an “International Sports Center”, but also a key boost to the upgrading of its sports city development level.

        Looking back on the history of Guangzhou, large-scale sports events can be called the ley engine of the city’s energy level transition and distinctive footnotes : Sixth Games gave birth to the rise of Guangzhou Tianhe CBD, creating a Chinese spots mascots pioneered and the introduction of sports lottery and arena advertising; The Ninth Olympic Games pioneered the online torch relay and the paid transfer of television transmission rights for the National Games; The Asian Games opened up Guangzhou in one fell swoop “South Extension North East West United Center”city skeleton, Asian Games city, Guangzhou tower and other landmarks were born. Each time it “holds the tournament”, Guangzhou has precisely hit the nodes of urban expansion, industrial upgrading and institutional innovation.

        Guangzhou has almost brought the concept of "building and developing the city through competitions" to the extreme. In recent year, a various of high-end international sports events such as Guangzhou Marathon, Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational Race, Badminton World Federation, and World Athletics Relays were continuously implemented. Moreover, Guangzhou has continuously innovated its sports event operation models and regulatory rules to align with international standards, using an open "global algorithm" to drive the continuous rise in the "valuation" of its sports city, which has not only highlighted the "presence" of the Guangzhou International Sports Center but also accelerated the transformation of "sports economics". This situation reflects the city's distinct personality of being proactive, innovative, and open-minded.

( The renovated Guangdong Olympic Sport Center, image source: The Executive Committee of the 15th National Games and Special Olympics Guangzhou Competition Area)

The city changes because of the competition

        During the 1987s Sixth National Games, a three-dimensional flower bed featuring a cartoonish little sheep at Guangzhou Railway Station attracted a large number of onlookers.

        This cartoonish little sheep, which is holding a torch aloft and wearing a red vest with the emblem of the Sixth National Games, is sprinting forward with great strides. This is Yangyang, the mascot of the Sixth National Games, which not only aligns with the name “Yangcheng” of Guangzhou, but also embodies boundless vitality and a positive, uplifting spirit. Yangyang become the very first mascot in the history of Chinese sports.

        The Sixth National Games was a significant test for Guangzhou. In order to prepare for this nationwide sports events, Guangzhou constructed Tianhe Sports Center, which catapulted Tianhe into the spotlight of Guangzhou’s urban development and marked the beginning of the city’s eastward expansion” strategy.

        This year, Tianhe area developed from a piece of farmland towards CBD in Guangzhou. This Games ushers in a shift from government-led to market-led operations for the National Games. It introduces a theme song, TV broadcasts, sports lottery sales, and advertising in and around venues for the first time. These pioneering and dynamic traits have marked every major sports events in Guangzhou since. In 2001, the Ninth National Games saw the first online registration and virtual torch relay, sold TV broadcasting rights, It was the first time carry out corporate operation during the market development of the National Games. Additionally, the Guangzhou Olympic Sports Center was completed, furthering Guangzhou’s “eastern expansion”.

        Nine years later, the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Guangzhou, 45 flower boats representing different countries and regions sailed in one after another on the Pearl River, glowing, making the opening ceremonies of major international sports events move from closed stadiums to open spaces for the first time. With the help of the Games,  Asian Games city was built and Xiaomanyao was born. Guangzhou has determined the urban spatial planning positioning of "expanding in the south, optimizing in the north, advancing in the east, linking in the west and adjusting in the middle," forming the overall layout of urban development.

( The opening ceremony of the Asian Games, photo source: Xinhua News Agency )

        A former Chinese football player and the head coach of the Ningxia U16 women’s Football Team called Sun Fenghao. He is one of the witnesses to Guangzhou’s efforts to promote urban renewal through sports events.

        Guangzhou can as his lucky place. In 2001, November 19, the Yuexiu Mountain Stadium was bustling with people. In the men’s football competition of the Ninth National Games, Liaoning competed against Beijing for a spot in the semi-finals. On the field, Sun Fenghao from Liaoning was particularly enthusiastic; as a substitute player, this was his first start. He skillfully received the ball, dribbled past three of four opponents, and thenshot the ball into the net. This goal not only secured for the Olympic Training Team, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his career.

        After 24 years, the women’s under-16 football event of the 15th National Games kicked off in Guangzhou. Sun Fenghao, as the head coach, came to Guangzhou again. The changes in Guangzhou left him quite impressed: “The changes are so huge. Especially when I stepped into Tianhe Stadium, I was particularly shocked and felt completely refreshed. It had the feeling of an international stage, and the colors were very bright.

        “Come to log ‘the same runway as Su Bingtian’s’.” In April this year, the renovated and updated health runway at Tianhe Sports Center has welcomed its first batch of runners to try it out. The 1,000-meter outdoor circular track has been put into use, with a green rubber track on the inner circle and a blue asphalt fitness trail on the outer circle, fulfilling both the wishes of the competitions and leisure at once. On the evening of June 10, under the gaze of more than 20,000 spectators, the newly renovated Tianhe Sports Center was bathed in light, witnessing the birth of the first gold medal in the competitive events of the 15th National Games of China.

Event economic leverage

        The development of Guangzhou likes a long-distance race. Ye Lin, a professor at the School of Politics and Public Affairs of Sun Yat-sen University and director of the Guangzhou International Urban Innovation Research Center, analyzed. Be tenacious and powerful at the start, making full use of the profound heritage of historical traditions; forge ahead in the first half, actively giving play to the spirit of diversified cooperation; build up strength for a breakthrough in the second half, continuously expanding innovative advantages. With an inclusive spirit like the sea embracing all rivers, keep climbing to new heights of development.

        Over the past 40 years, Guangzhou has used every major sporting event as a “resupply point” to drive the transformation and upgrading of the city’s development. 

        This 15th National Games are currently in the “second half” of their journey, and Guangzhou’s development has reached a stage where the focus has shifted from incremental growth to improving quality. Guangzhou is the venue with the highest number of events, hosting 40% and 35% of the competitions for the 15th National Games and the Special Olympic Games, respectively, with both opening ceremonies set to take place here. This means that in addition to successfully hosting the events, it is also crucial to leverage these events as a catalyst for urban renewal and to maximize the positive impact on the economy and society both before and after the events.

        Sports venues are the infrastructure needed for the smooth conduct of events. Form “demolishing fences and building green spaces” to “restoring old venues to their original appearance”, Guangzhou is using sports venues as a fulcrum to drive urban quality updates. Thirty venues are being renovated districts are being constructed simultaneously. These venues will be transformed into “boundless sports parks” accessible to all, thus deeply integrating sports venues into the urban fabric.

( The renovated stadium of Tianhe sports Center, photo source: Executive Committee of the 15th National Games and Special Olympics Guangzhou venue )

        “The Tianhe Sports Center is not only a venue for hosting large-scale competitions, but also a sports park for Guangzhou citicens to enjoy leisure and entertainment.” The renovation of the Tianhe Sports Center was led by Guo Mingzhuo, a national master of engineering survey and design and consultant chief architect of Guangzhou Design Institute Group. It was he who served as the chief designer of the Tianhe Sports Center project in 1984, leaving this epoch-making sports landmark for Guangzhou.

        Guo Mingzhuo told Southern Finance and Economics reporters that the renovation of Tianhe focuses on improving functions and enhancing landscapes, mainly in the South Square and the Front Square, using a “subtraction” approach to restore its original features. The south gate tower of the Tianhe Sports Center will be rebuilt in the South Square, turning it into Guangzhou’s “urban living room” with a clearer sense of space, stronger sense of ceremony and modernity.

        The opening ceremony of the 15th National Games will be held at the Guangzhou Olympic Sports Center on November 9, with the theme of “pursuing Dreams for the Future”. it will create the majestic momentum of the sea in the venue, symbolizing setting sail for a new journey. “We hope to integrate the times and tradition, technology and humanity,sports and art through extreme creativity and unique presentation, and show the world a unique opening ceremony with the beauty of inclusiveness and integration,” said by Chen Weiya, artistic director of the opening ceremonies of the 15th National Games and the National Paralympic Games,with full confidence.

        With the successive holding of various advance and mass competitions, the openness and vitality of Guangzhou's event services are more prominently reflected in every detail. Sun Fenghao said that for this 15th National Games, the Guangzhou venue has taken comprehensive measures in terms of event organization, hotels, catering and accommodation services. The home and away teams stay in the same hotel, and athletes enter the competition venue without testing... All these details demonstrate Guangzhou's fair, impartial, open and inclusive attitude in hosting the event.

        I have lived in Guangzhou for a long time. Guangzhou is highly inclusive and has a spirit of unity and progress, which is in line with the spirit of football and sports. This is also the most important reason why I love this city. Sun Fenghao said.

        As co-president of Tongxin Sports, Chen Chen has witnessed the company’s rapid growth in Guangzhou. From laying the first fitness mat in Tianhe Community to performing at word-class venues such as the National Stadium( Bird’s Nest ), Shanghai Stadium, and Munhak Stadium in Incheon, South Korea, Tongxin Sports has expanded from Guangzhou to the entire country and even the world. At this year’s 15th National Games, Tongxin Sports is also responsible for laying the tracks at several venues in the Guangzhou section.

Reshape the gravitational pull of resources

        The first impression Chen Chen had when he arrived in Guangzhou 15 years ago was that everything was done-to-earth, there was no sense of alienation, and his daily life was comfortable in terms of food, clothing, and housing.

        In 2010, Chen Chen returned to China from abroad and chose Guangzhou, a city at the forefront of reform and opening-up, as his first destination for development. He joined Guangzhou Tongxin Sports, which specializes in the integrated supply and laying of prefabricated track systems. What made him feel even more at ease was the vibrant business environment in Guangzhou. “Guangzhou treats private enterprises with a subtle yet considerate approach, being very thorough and meticulous. Just as the people of Guangzhou make me feel, they are pragmatic and open, and it is very comfortable to get along with them,” Chen Chen said.

        Guangzhou attracts enterprises not by investing capital in a short period of time, but by upholding long-term, all-around services.

        It is precisely the open and inclusive international business environment that has fostered a group of sports enterprises that are innovative and in line international standards.

        Guangzhou Shuangyu Sports is the exclusive supplier of table tennis equipment for the 2024 Paris Olympics, and it has also become the exclusive supplier and distributor of table tennis equipment for the 15th National Games of China. Liang Zhixiong, assistant general manager of the company, revealed to the reporters from Nanfang Finance that driven by the lingering excitement from the Paris Olympics and the enthusiasm for the 15th National Sports Games, Shuangyu's sales in the first half of the year have grown by more than 20% compared to the same period last year.

        More and more out-of-town enterprises are coming to Guangzhou in search of opportunities.

        Taking the 15th National Games as an opportunity, Guangzhou has launched the "City Partner" program, with 15 enterprises, including Didi Chuxing, which is a Fortune Global 500 company and a leader in the industry, having already joined Guangzhou on a reciprocal basis. "Guangzhou has a rich historical heritage and a city spirit that is open and inclusive. The 'new type of government-enterprise relationship' provides a fertile soil for enterprise development, and we feel the sincerity and determination," said Ma Longqiang, Vice President of Local Affairs for Didi Chuxing, at the inaugural event for Guangzhou's "City Partners".

        “Urban partners” is not merely a simple exchange of resources, but a cooperation covering multiple key fields such as strategic consulting,digital technology, low-altitude economy, and intelligent manufacturing. What’s more, it involves in-depth participation in urban governance, people’s livelihood services, and industrial production.

( World Athetics Relay Race, Image source: People’s Daily )

        This sends out a strong signal for urban development - in the past, when organizing events, the emphasis was on the benefits the events themselves brought to the city. Now, more attention is paid to comprehensive and long-term economic and social benefits, promoting urban development and creating people’s well-being. This is a more long- term consideration.

        The openness, innovation and inclusiveness of Guangzhou are also the hallmarks of the Guangzhou government, which is why it can place itself on an equal footing with enterprises. Ye Lin said that it is precisely this personality that makes Guangzhou place greater emphasis on teamwork and thus be able to implement the "City Partner" program. After large enterprises move in, it will force Guangzhou to further improve its business environment, and both sides will find a cooperative rhythm that resonates with each other. 

        At the same time, Guangzhou is speeding up the construction of an international competitions center and is giving strong support to the development of sports leagues and mass sports undertakings; a series of high-end competitions, such as the Guangzhou Marathon, the Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational, the World Badminton Federation World Badminton Tour Finals, and the World Athletics Relay Championships, have been held there one after another. In 2024, there will be 142 competitions at or above the provincial level and nearly 200 large-scale mass events, with a total sports consumption of 63.125 billion yuan and a per capita consumption of 3,345.51 yuan, ranking among the highest in the country.

        As the world’s attention is once again focused on the 15th National Games, Guangzhou, as one of the central cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, will further enhance its international profile. Under the guidance of improving competition standards, strengthening hardware facilities, and cultivating sports city. From sports venues to urban corners, from competition arenas to business environments, Guangzhou will continue to maintain its open and dynamic attitude, ushering in a new chapter in the harmonious resonance between sports and the city.

        When an open and ever-vibrant atmosphere, Guangzhou, which uses sports as a medium to bring people’s dreams together, is marching towards the world with unstoppable momentum.

Source: 21st Century Business Herald

Original link:https://m.21jingji.com/article/20250704/herald/a05000b735ddbe4649d04ef6323957a1.html?t=416828