On May 18, Beijing time, the 2024 "Water Cube" Youth Swimming Open was unveiled at the National Aquatics Center (Water Cube/Ice Cube).
According to Ru Jiang, general manager of the swimming branch of the National Aquatics Center Co., Ltd., the competition lasted for two days, and a total of 1,900 young athletes from 69 swimming clubs (schools) in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Shaanxi, Hebei, Shandong, Heilongjiang, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia and other provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions participated in 140 individual and relay events. Ru Jiang said that in order to ensure the high-quality and efficient holding of this competition, there are 65 referees, more than 50 volunteers, plus coaches and team leaders of various clubs such as security, cleaning, and property, and more than 500 people have served in this competition. "In view of the fact that many young athletes are participating in the competition for the first time, after close communication and cooperation with the adjudication committee, we have tried to achieve as leniency as possible in terms of the scale of punishment, so as to ensure the fairness of the competition and encourage young people to participate in the competition more enthusiastically," Ru Jiang said.
This competition deeply integrates "digital + sports", and for the first time, the "Water Cube" event registration applet independently developed by the National Aquatics Center was used. Ru Jiang said: "Last year, we used the form of a form in the registration stage, but this year, we have made an innovation, and we have adopted a small program. During the competition, parents can check the results at any time through their mobile phones in the stands, which is basically updated in real time." Among the participating teams, 31 clubs (schools) participated in the "Water Cube" youth swimming series for the first time. The new teams spoke highly of the facilities and teams of the National Aquatics Center.
Gao Xingru, the leader of the Beijing No. 8 Middle School Youth Sports Club, led the team to participate in the Water Cube for the first time, and a total of 79 young athletes from her team participated in the competition. In her opinion, bringing the children to the Water Cube to participate in the competition is a good exercise for the children. "The effect of today's competition is very good, and the children are very excited to be able to compete in this venue, after all, it is a double Olympic venue. Parents also have the opportunity to take their children to experience this environment, and the organizing committee hosted it is very warm, and the atmosphere of the whole competition is very good," said Gao Xingru. With the "dividends" brought about by the national "double reduction" policy, more school-age children will devote more spare time to physical exercise. 11-year-old Li Yunduo is a member of the "Water Cube" team, and her family lives in Mentougou District, Beijing, although it is far from the "Water Cube", but this has not affected her training four times a week. She is very happy to be able to participate in the training of the Water Cube. As a venue for the Double Olympic Games, the "Water Cube" attracts more people's attention and participation in sports by hosting various sports events and activities. Whether it is an important venue for holding events or a training ground for cultivating outstanding students, the "Water Cube" has played an important role. It is hoped that in the future development, the "Water Cube" will continue to play its unique advantages and role, and make greater contributions to the development of China's sports industry.