Over the years, Longyan's sports have maintained a good momentum
of development represented by the popularity of public sports and competitive
sports. The achievements in sports have gained the city the honored of "Longyan
Miracle". At present, there are 3 n
ational advanced sports counties (Xinluo,
Changting and Shanghang) and 1 national kungfu county (Liancheng).
Popularity in public fitness: The sports participants account for 40.5% of
the city's total population. The requirements in sports of the citizens have
been met gradually, the awareness of fitness has been raised constantly. 40 and
180 sports competitions at city and county levels are held each year. There are
260 fitness routes in the city, and every community in urban area and every
village in rural area has a fitness center. Longyan has been awarded the title
of "National Fitness Center".
Great achievements in sports competitions: Sports talents in weightlifting,
badminton, trampoline have emerged in large unmber and they have competed for
gold, silver and bronze medals in international and domestic sports meetings.
Since 1997 athletes from Longyan have won 1 Olympic gold medal, 1 Olympic bronze
medal, 21 world championships, 15 gold medals in Asia championship and 50 gold
medals in national championship. At present, there are 10 athletes from Longyan
serving in the national team, they are: Shi Zhiyong, Zhang Xiangxiang, Ye Ying
(weightlifting), Lin Dan, Chen Hong, Xie Xin, Chen Li (badminton), Liu Qipeng,
He Wennan (trampoline), Li Ting (canoe).
In recent years, news of victory of Longyan's athletes has been coming in
succession from various contests:
Olympic gold medal winner: Shi Zhiyong (weightlifting, 2004 Athens
Olympic,)
Olympic bronze medal winner: Zhang Xiangxiang (weightlifting, 2000 Sydney
Olympic,)
World champions: Shi Zhiyong (weightlifting), Zhou Jincan (badminton), Lin
Dan (badminton), Chen Hong (badminton), Liu Qipeng (trampoline) and He Wenna
(trampoline)
Asian champions: Zhang Xiangxiang (weightlifting) and Ye Ying
(weightlifting)
Successful host of the 13th Fujian Provincial Sports Meeting: The 13th
Fujian Provincial Sports Meeting was successfully held in Longyan from Oct. 28
to Nov. 4, 2006. About 8000 athletes, referees and staff took part in the
meeting, setting a new record in the history of Fujian Provincial Sports
Meetings with regard to the numbers of participants and competition events.
Longyan delegation historically ranked 4th and 5th in gold medal and total team
scores with 116 gold medals, 87.25 silver medals, 78.25 bronze medals and 3468.5
scores. The number of gold medals won in this sports meet surpassed the total
gained in the last 12 meetings, thus realizing "a great leap on the red land".
Improving venue facilities: A modern sports center and a sports garden have
been built successively, including stadium, gymnasium, swimming pool, badminton
stadium, weightlifting and tennis stadium, shooting range, small balls and heavy
athletics stadium, with advanced facilities and multiple functions.
（Editor:ShenJiaju）
