Wu Dan, head coach of China's national BMX freestyle team, said China had increased its efforts to promote the sport in recent years, attributing the recent victory at the Paris Olympics to the combination of domestic training experience and overseas knowledge, as well as the support from national and local authorities.
Chinese athlete Deng Yawen won a spectacular gold medal in the BMX freestyle event at the Paris Olympic Games on July 31.
"After the establishment of the BMX national team, we have not only invited foreign coaches, but also introduced great training know-how from China's other strong sports such as gymnastics, diving, table tennis and badminton. We then combined the domestic training experience with the foreign coaches' Western training methods," Wu told a reporter at a training base in Chengdu City, southwest China's Sichuan Province.
He added that for the success in the Olympics, credit also goes to the fast expansion of BMX facilities across China.
"Many high-level venues have been built for us with the support of government authorities at all levels," said the coach.
Ge Hui, an assistant coach of Sichuan's provincial BMX team and also one of the first BMX freestyle riders in China, stressed the passion and enthusiasm of the athletes, as well as the support from their family members.
"Parents these days are generally very supportive of their children, and the kids are very passionate about BMX. I have the phone numbers of some parents, and they have been in close contact with me to keep an eye on their children's training performance," said Ge.
Coach of Paris Olympics gold medalist explains China's breakthrough in BMX
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
