As the foundation of national fitness, the government attaches
great importance to physical education at school. Schools have
professional physical educators and exercise facilities and
students failing to reach the required physical standards are not
allowed to go on to higher schools. Spring and autumn sports meets
are annual events. The National Middle School Games and National
University Games are held every four years. Promising teenagers are
sent to amateur sports schools to receive specialized standard
training.
The government also stresses the construction of juvenile sports
clubs. In recent years, using sports lottery proceeds, the State
Physical Culture Administration has established some 500 juvenile
sports clubs a year. There will be some 3,000 by the end of
2005.