From the host of CCTV to the founder of the "Gobi Challenge" and the chairman of Beijing Xingzhi Exploration Culture Development Group Co., Ltd., Qu Xiangdong, just like his company name, has always explored "line" and "knowledge". In recent years, he has devoted himself to the development of rowing in China, explored rowing culture, and hoped to spread the beauty of rowing to the public. As one of the planners of the 2019 China Rowing Masters (Shenyang Station) - the 2nd Shenyang International Rowing Open And the 9th Shengjing Dragon Boat Race, on August 21, Qu Xiangdong told reporters about his knowledge and understanding of the Hunhe River, Shenyang rowing culture and Shenyang city culture.
<b>Talk about getting together: Infected by the charm of rowing </b>
In 2014, after the entrepreneur Wang Shi was elected as the president of the Asian Rowing Federation, he organized his entrepreneurs and friends to go to Cambridge University to participate in a training camp called "Deep Diving" for a month of training. One of the characteristics of the camp is the integration of rowing into the curriculum, and in Cambridge, Qu Xiangdong experienced the charm of rowing for the first time.
"For a month, we got up at 5:30 every morning and cycled to the Cam River to practice rowing. When it first arrived, it was still dark, the water surface of the Kang River was quiet, and the swans floated on the surface of the water, burying their heads in their wings and sleeping. After a while, the sky was dark, and the swan woke up, flapping its wings and flying overhead. The sky is brighter little by little, and the morning exercisers are running by the river, and the feeling of harmonious coexistence between man and nature makes every morning exercise a kind of enjoyment. Qu Xiangdong said that at that time, the practice was an 8-person boat, which required 8 people to have a high degree of tacit understanding, everyone on the boat had their own unique positioning and function, and any role could not determine the victory or defeat of the entire rowing team, and everyone's efforts would be reflected in the final results.
There is a word in rowing called "swing", when everyone on the boat is in harmony, that harmony and rhythm will make people enter a state of self-forgetfulness. Qu Xiangdong said that if you feel the swing, you will remember this feeling for a lifetime, it is a very happy state! “
In the past month, I have felt a lot, the beauty of rowing, etiquette, the happiness of the team entering a state of swing together, and the inspiration for leadership. Rowing is really an attractive and fascinating sport that deserves in-depth consideration. Since then, I've really fallen in love with rowing. Qu Xiangdong said.
<b>Talk about racing: The joy of rowing is not about winning or losing </b>
In the past 5 years, Qu Xiangdong has been committed to promoting the development of rowing in China, promoting rowing culture and organizing rowing events. "It's not easy to promote rowing in China, but I think it's right, although it's difficult, we have to find ways to stick to it, which is also one of the connotations of rowing culture." Qu Xiangdong said.
The upcoming 2019 China Rowing Masters (Shenyang Station) in September , the 2nd Shenyang International Rowing Open And the 9th Shengjing Dragon Boat Race , Qu Xiangdong will participate in the 8-person boat race with the members of the Xingzhi Exploration Rowing Club. Because he often travels on business, he can't train with his teammates from time to time, so he is very "Buddhist" for the results of the competition.
"Rowing is a happy sport, everyone should experience the happiness of this sport, I don't care about winning or losing, whether the results are good or not, I will participate." Qu Xiangdong believes that rowing is not only a professional athlete, but a sport that everyone should participate in. Many people walking along the Hun River will see the Liaoning Provincial Rowing Team and the Shenyang Rowing Team in training, will see the harmonious beauty of the 4-person boat and 8-person boat crew, it is easy to mistakenly think that rowing is a professional sport, far away from ordinary people, but in fact, rowing should be a popular sport, enjoy the joy of rowing, is the right that everyone should enjoy.
<b>Tanhun River: the best water in the country </b>
"I have been to many cities in China to participate in rowing, and it can be said responsibly that so far, the Hun River in Shenyang is the best water I have seen in domestic cities, especially the waters of Pier 9 of the Qingquan Shengjing Rowing Club, which is very suitable for rowing." When it comes to the Hun River, Qu Xiangdong does not skimp on words of praise.
He explained that rowing is a still water sport, which has high requirements for water quality, the muddy water is clear, there is no wind and waves, there is no shipping, and the water flow is very quiet. The water surface of the Hun River is wide enough, but not too wide, for people to row in the river, and people standing on the shore can appreciate it. The most rare thing is that this section of water passes through the most prosperous central area of Shenyang, and the two sides of the river are not stopped by cement, railings, etc., but mud banks and lawns enter the river, completely retaining the natural original ecology. When people row with their heads down, they see the perfect nature, water birds are everywhere; when they look up, they see the most beautiful and urban side of Shenyang - big diamonds, k11, Hunhe Bridge... Man has achieved the most perfect harmonious symbiosis between nature and urban civilization.
Shenyang's climate, latitude and urban atmosphere are suitable for the development of rowing, Qu Xiangdong believes that the Hun River is 'China's Charles River', the Hun River from all aspects, there are natural conditions to be able to host international events, through efforts, Shenyang will also be able to develop rowing into a sport of universal concern.
<b>Talking about Shenyang: Continuing the aristocratic temperament in rowing </b>
Having been to Shenyang many times, Qu Xiangdong likes it here and thinks that Shenyang is a city full of youth and vitality.
Rowing is also a sport full of youth and vitality. Rowing is inherently a sport for university students, and one of the most famous rowing competitions in the world, the Oxbridge Match, is held in colleges and universities. The confrontation between Harvard and Yale is the highlight of the Charles River rowing competition.
"Rowing is too relevant to the culture of Shenyang!" Qu Xiangdong said that Shenyang, as "the birthplace of one dynasty and the capital of two generations of emperors", has an aristocratic temperament precipitated in the urban culture. Rowing is a sport with aristocratic temperament, but also a sport that shows beauty, pursues harmony and self-discipline, and the temperament revealed by rowing should also be the connotation and temperament of a person and a city. If we can seriously regard rowing as a manifestation of cultural temperament, let people find Shenyang's urban temperament through watching and experiencing rowing, and continue the youth and vitality of a city, it is the greatest contribution that rowing can bring to Shenyang.
Shuai Zheng and Shen Bao Rong Media reporter Liu Haibo
To register and learn more about the event, please pay attention to the official number of The Seisen Shengjing Rowing Club