Beijing, China, June 23, 2026: As spectators packed Beijing's venues for the Olympic Games in 2008, Guo Li remembers being struck not only by the quality of competition but also by the enthusiasm of volunteers and first-time fans.
Nearly two decades later, she believes that initial excitement has matured into a deeper sporting culture, Xinhua News reports.
"What I saw throughout these years was the Chinese people's passion inspired by high-level events," said Guo, 73, who worked as competition director of rhythmic gymnastics at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
The change Guo described has unfolded alongside China's growing involvement in the Olympic Movement. In 2022, Beijing became the first city in history to stage both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
Since then, China has also hosted the FISU World University Games, the Asian Games in Hangzhou and the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, reinforcing its position as one of the world's most active organizers of major sporting events.
Last month, the IOC announced that Shanghai will host one stop of the 2028 Olympic Q-Series, bringing the urban sports festival back to the city after its successful debut there in 2024.
"China has always been an incredibly strong partner," IOC President Kirsty Coventry said. "There are so many extraordinary things that the Olympic Movement is learning consistently from China."
As China continues to host major international competitions, the influence of those events extends beyond stadiums, helping to bring sport into the daily lives of millions.
International Olympic Day, which falls on Tuesday this year, brings together enthusiasts worldwide to celebrate the joy of sport.
This weekend, China will mark the 40th edition of its Olympic Day celebrations, with activities planned in more than 10 cities and counties. Families, students and amateur athletes are expected to participate in events ranging from fun runs to fitness classes.
"Sports is closely related to health, and we can feel the Olympic spirit in motion," said table tennis icon Ma Long, China's most decorated Olympian. "I hope more people can find at least one sport as a lifelong hobby to practice on a regular basis."
*In 2025, the total scale of China's ice-and-snow economy exceeded one trillion yuan (148 billion U.S. dollars) for the first time, according to China's General Administration of Sport.