Opening of China’s National Games marks return of major spectator events

China’s President Xi Jinping has declared the 14th National Games of China open with spectators in attendance for what is seen as a run up to Beijing Winter Olympics which commences in just 140 days.

Being staged in Shaanxi province wit major events in the provincial capital of Xi'an, the multi-sports event runs from 15th to 27th September with 20,000 athletes competing in 409 events in 35 sports.

This major event to be held in China with spectators since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, those wishing to attend events will have to provide a negative COVID test result 72 hours prior to entering any venues.

Being used to test run health restrictions ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, which run from 4th to 20th February next year, spectators are allowed to the Games provided they show a their negative COVID test result, with adults having to be fully vaccinated.

Held in their present form since 1959, the four-yearly games feature almost all the same sporting events as the summer Olympics.

Image: Fans at Shandong’s World Leisure Games.