Sports

With the advent of the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing's sports are becoming more important in the eyes of the world's sportsmen and women.

By the end of 2005, Beijing had 6,105 stadiums and gymnasiums, an increase of 1,432 over that of 2000. With a total investment of 662 million yuan (US$82.75 million), 3.76 million square metres of facilities for national fitness programmes were completed. There were 820 professional athletes in Beijing, who won 307.5 medals in international and national competitions, including 118 gold and 94.5 silver medals.

During the Tenth Five-Year Plan, Beijing's athletes won 1,461 medals in international and national competitions, 600 more than during the Ninth Five-Year Plan. Several years ago, doing the yangge dance was the only option Beijing's "grandmas" had for organized exercise to keep fit. There are many more fitness facilities in the city of all levels, including those installed in neighbourhood parks. The city's young and old have many more recreational options. In Beijing, 100 percent of its streets and townships, some community neighbourhood committees and more than 55 percent of the administrative villages have implemented the national fitness programme. All of the city's 184 townships have established organizations backing the national fitness programme and more than 90 percent of the village committees have set up sports organizations. Competitive sports have also made breakthroughs. Eleven new, ultramodern Olympic competition venues are now under construction in the city.