The “Chinese Olympics” run through September 27, and try to prove that “Socialism is good” for sport too.
by Bao Haoran
Forget Tokyo Olympics, China can do much better. This was the message repeated by several Chinese athletes who had been in Tokyo and are now participating in the 14th National Games, which run through September 27 and were opened by President Xi Jinping on September 15.
The Games are held every four years, and started in 1959, as China’s “mini-Olympics.” But there is nothing mini in the 14th edition taking place in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province. Stadiums are packed, although the public is asked to wear masks, which contrasts with the sober atmosphere created by the anti-COVID measures in Tokyo.
Indeed, songs and dances in the opening ceremony celebrated China’s “victory” against COVID-19, as well as its achievements in space exploration and sport. Spectacular shows celebrated “Socialism with Chinese characteristics” and the CCP, while large choirs sang that “Socialism is good.”
The delegations of Hong Kong, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang were among the most smiling, transmitting the message that all is well there and everybody is happy.
Xi Jinping was pleased to visit Shaanxi, as this is the province where is father Xi Zhongxun was born and is buried. A memorial center honoring him as a loyal comrade of Chairman Mao who was wronged during the Cultural Revolution has become a pilgrimage place in Fuping.
Booklets are being distributed at the Games through which athletes and public can learn about “Xi Jinping’s Thought on Sport.” There is a Xi Jinping’s thought for everything, but it is well-known that Xi is a dedicated sport fan.
While victories in the Olympics are important, Xi says, because they give “glory to China in the New Era,” and prove the excellency of the Chinese system, the booklet also shows some frustration with the lack of results in certain sports. Xi writes that “we need to accelerate reform and innovation in sports, adopt the latest sporting models, learn from the rest of the world, and inject fresh vigor and impetus into the development of sports in the country.”
Chinese who read between the lines understand that this is connected with the fiasco of Chinese soccer, which Xi had promised to bring to levels of world excellency. After famous foreign coaches and players did not deliver, a disappointed Xi ordered a drastic reduction of investments in soccer, and famous clubs went bankrupt or ceased to operate.
A Marxist country, Xi insists, should promote mass sports first. “A leading sporting nation is built on robust mass sports, he writes. We will develop mass sports in parallel with competitive sports, promote fitness activities across the country, and continue to improve the health of the population.” This, too, should prove that “Socialism is good.”
Uses a pseudonym for security reasons.
