Olympics push nationwide fitness program

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Source: CCTV.com | 07-27-2008 14:35

The Beijing Olympics last only 2 weeks, but the games are behind transformations that will affect China for a long time. Starting today, CCTV presents a special series of reports on the changes the Games have brought to the country and its people. In the first part of our series, 2008 and Beyond, Han Bin takes a look at how the Olympics are whipping the Chinese public into a sporting frenzy.

Olympics push nationwide fitness program

Tomorrow, in part two of our special series, 2008 and Beyond, we'll tell the stories of volunteers for the Olympic Games, and examine how the volunteer concept could change Chinese society. We hope you'll tune in.

These people are exercising at a fitness club in downtown Beijing. They're here to lose weight, relax, or keep fit.

Tang Mingze began body building five years ago. He now came to the gym four days a week. He spends 4,000 yuan, or some 570 US dollars, a year on membership fees, but he thinks it's worth it.

With the sports and leisure industry flexing its muscles in recent years, the club has expanded to 8 gyms in the capital, since the first one in 2001.

Twenty years ago, most Chinese people would never have thought of spending part of their income on fitness. But today, this is a lifestyle choice. In addition to their higher incomes,China's efforts to improve people's health is another reason behind the change.

Ever since Beijing won the bid to host the 2008 Games, the nation's pride has been pushing the passion for sweaty competition and interest in sports has kept rising.