Putuo's efforts in promoting sports paying off
Chinese bobsleigh team led by Putuo athlete Shao Yijun made its debut at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics at the four-men bobsleigh contest.
THE Chinese bobsleigh team, led by Putuo athlete Shao Yijun, made its debut at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics at the four-men bobsleigh contest.
The former shot player trained at the Putuo District Youth Sports School has become the main force of the nation’s bobsleigh team.
Shao, along with his teammates Wang Sidong, Li Chunjian and Shi Hao, participated in several international competitions in North America and Europe to qualify for the Winter Olympics. Previously, the Chinese team had been absent from the traditional competition due to the lack of facilities and the technical standards of the teams.
“It is a big step for China’s bobsleigh team to take part in the Olympics,” Shao said.
The experience gained will hold them in good stead for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Shao’s achievement is a result from Putuo District’s long-term efforts to promote sports activities among the public and build complete sports facilities.
The 24-year-old Shao, enrolled in the district’s youth school when he was 12-years-old, after taking part in a track and field competition among Putuo elementary and middle schools.
He originally trained as a shot player and has won several city-level championships.
He was later selected for the nation’s bobsleigh team in 2015 due to his strength and sensitivity for the Winter Olympics.
The district government aims to create a public service system on public sports and exercises in all subdistricts and towns in Putuo, said Zhang Jun, Party secretary of the district’s sports bureau. The district government has been granted China’s “outstanding group” on public sports arrangements in 2017.
Zhang said the district still had some shortages in public facilities, scientific guides and social arrangement, which will be made up this year.
As part of the efforts, the district will continue holding popular sports events, such as the dragon boat competition on Suzhou Creek, the 10 kilometer elite running race and the national bridge game tournament. Moreover, a series of professional trainers will be assigned to guide the public on various sports.
The government will also select some demonstrative sports models among volunteers, seniors and sports lovers to encourage more residents to take part in sports.
To make up the shortage on sports equipment, the district plans to build the Guangxin Stadium, Taopu 608 sports facilities and the district’s swimming center. Walking paths, public ball game courts and other public facilities have been planned across the district, according to Zhang.
