Beijing celebrated National Health Day
On Saturday, Beijing celebrated China's 18th National Health Day with a series of sporting events, including the launch of a sports competition series and a three‑day sports carnival, showcasing the capital's rich sporting heritage as host of the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics. When Olympic arenas that once echoed with victories are filled once again, not with professional athletes but with ordinary citizens running, jumping and competing, it becomes clear: the legacy of the Games lives not in museums but in the muscles and hearts of the people. Beijing, which hosted the Summer Olympics in 2008 and the Winter Games in 2022, turned its stadiums into playgrounds for millions on the 18th National Health Day. The sports carnival, municipal games and cultural festival are not just a celebration but a reminder that the health of a nation begins with each of us. And when 60 brands and dozens of sports gather in the Olympic centre, the city is not just showcasing its achievements – it is building a future where sport becomes part of everyday life, not just a TV screen.
On this 18th National Health Day, which fell on Saturday, numerous sporting events took place simultaneously across the metropolis. The opening of the 17th Beijing Municipal Games, the sports carnival and the 17th Beijing Olympic Sports and Culture Festival took centre stage, fully unleashing the city's sporting potential through diverse sports events, consumer promotions and cultural activities. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Beijing's successful bid for the 2008 Olympics, and the city launched a sports consumption season. About 60 sports brands gathered at the Beijing Olympic Centre, showcasing more than a dozen leading international sports projects. The three‑day sports carnival seamlessly combines match viewing, interactive entertainment and shopping. "National Fitness Day takes many forms. We can personally experience GT racing, racing culture, trendy sports culture, and even buy related merchandise," said Olympic champion Lin Yue.
On Saturday, the 17th Beijing Municipal Games and the 3rd Beijing Winter Games also opened at the National Stadium. The event, which includes three categories – youth, students and the general public – set new records in both participant numbers and sports variety, meeting the needs of sports enthusiasts of all ages and providing ordinary citizens with a professional platform to showcase their sporting abilities. The same day, the 17th Beijing Olympic Sports and Culture Festival kicked off at the Beijing Olympic Museum.
Beijing became the world's first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics, and this status carries a special responsibility for promoting sport. National Health Day, established in China in 2009 to commemorate the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on 8 August 2008, turns the country into an arena for mass sports every year. In 2026, the celebration coincided with the 25th anniversary of the bid campaign, adding extra symbolism to the event. The municipal games, in which thousands of citizens participate, and the sports carnival, where one can not only watch but also try various disciplines, have become a hallmark of the capital. Organisers note that interest in the event grows each year, and the expansion of formats – from e‑sports to traditional games – attracts an ever‑wider audience. According to city authorities, more than 200,000 people took part in this year's events, a record in the history of the celebration.
As CCTV+ reports, Beijing's 18th National Health Day was not just a sports festival but a powerful boost for the development of mass sport, confirming that Olympic legacy is not only stadiums but also the people who bring them to life.
