Hype around: This year’s 15th National Games the first ever cross-boundary edition just wrapped up on Friday night, Nov 21, across Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR. It wasn’t just about elite action: more than 11,000 amateur athletes (think students, teachers, docs and even farmers!) ages 8 to 81 went for the gold across 166 amateur events. 💪
Elite athletes had 419 gold-medal events to chase. The result? Insane record-breaking: 8 world records, 5 world junior, 13 Asian, 10 Asian junior, plus a bunch of national milestones. In fact, in 12 events, the winning marks beat those from the Paris Olympics! 🥇🔥
What really stood out: the cross-boundary races. The men's road cycling zoomed across all three host zones, and the marathon linked Shenzhen with the Hong Kong SAR a literal finish line bridging the Greater Bay Area. It’s a sporty symbol of how collaboration can power regional integration. 🌉
As Tong Lixin from the organizing committee puts it, this Games “fully demonstrated the institutional advantages of China in concentrating resources to accomplish major tasks” and shows off the Greater Bay Area’s fast-tracked integration and booming sports industry. For everyone involved, it’s a snapshot of unity and progress in action. 🌟
Whether you’re into elite competition or cheering on local talent, the 15th National Games was a reminder that sports can bring communities together across borders, ages, and backgrounds. Can’t wait to see what’s next! 🙌
Reference(s):
15th National Games highlights characteristics of Greater Bay Area
cgtn.com
