The 2024 Chinese sports culture welfare promotion event took place in Zhijin County, Bijie City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. The event, featuring participation from several Olympic champions, aimed to promote public fitness and engage the community in physical activities.

The event kicked off with a torch relay in the ancient city of Zhijin, with Taekwondo Olympic champion Zheng Shuyin serving as the first torchbearer. Zheng carried the torch through the historic town, passing it to subsequent bearers and sharing her enthusiasm for sports with the spectators.

"I hope to spread the spirit of sports through this kind of activity and plant the seeds of public fitness in the hearts of everyone. I wish more people could enjoy the happiness that exercise brings," Zheng expressed.

Since retiring after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Zheng has been dedicated to promoting public fitness. She has actively participated in various activities to advocate for sports culture in schools, communities, and scenic spots. "After retiring, I try my best to publicize public fitness, especially popularizing taekwondo, hoping that more people will like this sport," she noted.

Zheng emphasized the significant benefits of exercise for children's growth, particularly highlighting taekwondo's role in enhancing both physical and mental health. Addressing the dilemma many children face when choosing a sport, Zheng recommended that they should have opportunities to experience different types of sports to find joy and eventually select one that suits their physical conditions.

"We should encourage children to engage in short-term sports activities while also helping them set long-term sports goals. This way, they can build resilience, learn to endure hardships, and develop a strong will through sustained participation in sports," Zheng advised.

The event also featured table tennis Olympic champion Qiao Hong, badminton Olympic champion Gong Zhichao, and taekwondo Olympic champion Zhao Shuai, who joined Zheng in promoting the spirit of sports and public fitness. The initiative was jointly organized by the Sports Culture Development Center of the State Sports General Administration, the China Sports Foundation, and the Guizhou Provincial Sports Bureau.

With the Paris Olympics approaching, Zheng shared her excitement about the upcoming performances of Chinese athletes. "Many of my former teammates are already preparing to head to Paris, and I hope all the athletes can achieve great results and realize their Olympic dreams," she remarked.

The event was a successful blend of cultural celebration and sports advocacy, aiming to inspire more people to embrace an active lifestyle and appreciate the values of perseverance and dedication inherent in sports. 

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