Intense competition, camaraderie boost popularity of local games, events

This summer, a team of six people from Shanghai, including professional trainers and office workers, participated in a nationwide fitness race, as community sports enthusiasts in China tuned in with the spirit of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

After a monthlong preparation and regional competition, the national final of the 2024 Lululemon Summer Sweat Games was held in Beijing last month.

Scarlet Wan, leader of Team Shanghai, said the games were more about enjoyment and camaraderie than intense competition. "The matches I usually participate in are very competitive. These games prioritized joy, fun and teamwork," said Wan, who is in her 30s.

The team members said they dedicated almost an hour each day over the prior five weeks to prepare for the games.

The event brought together eight winning teams from regional finals across the country. Team Fengtian Summer from Shenyang, Liaoning province, won in the finals.

The campaign, which kicked off in June, attracted more than 1,000 teams from nearly 40 cities across the country.

The 751 D-Park Locomotive Plaza in Beijing was transformed into a vibrant community space, offering more than 10 interactive activities, such as the Warrior's Bell, Hurricane Cycling, Curling Bumper Cars and Tug-of-War. A variety of fitness classes such as yoga, boxing, Zumba and Pilates were held for public visitors.

Chen Yulu, a member of the Shanghai team, said "the challenges require strength, cardio, balance, flexibility, teamwork and mental resilience", referring to the comprehensive physical demands of the games.

"Because of the community and fun aspects, this event brought together people from all walks of life to experience the joy of sports and the importance of well-being in daily life," Chen said.

The games also generated buzz across social media.

Rong Ping, a member of Wan's team, shared his experiences on social platforms like Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book).

"Many people read my posts about the games, and now they're interested in joining next year," said Rong, who is in his 50s. "This campaign can encourage people of various age groups to engage in fitness and exercise."

Wan praised the valuable role Rong played in the group. "The fact that Rong is older brings more life experience and maturity to our team — he's the stabilizer of our journey."

Huang Shiguo, another team member, shared his unwavering commitment to fitness. "For me, exercising is as essential as sleeping and eating," Huang said. "I'll continue my daily routine and look forward to joining more games in the future."

Sports events connecting communities in cities across the country have also translated into rising awareness of sports brands and driven sales of activewear makers.

Leading athletic apparel, footwear and accessories company Lululemon Athletica Inc said it posted a 34 percent year-on-year increase in net revenue from the Chinese mainland in its fiscal second quarter that ended July 28, driven by an influx of new customers through its stores and e-commerce platforms, alongside a diverse product portfolio.