Chinanews.com, Beijing, March 11, title: Zhang Hong: Increase China's voice in international sports organizations
Author Liu Xingchen
The National Two Sessions in 2023 will be the first time for 34-year-old Zhang Hong to perform his duties as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
"It is a great honor for me to be a member of the CPPCC Sports Sector."
After winning the first gold medal in China's speed skating Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014, Zhang Hong assumed more social responsibilities.
As the image ambassador of Beijing's bid to host the Winter Olympics, she witnessed the "thousand-year ancient capital" Beijing becoming the city of the Double Olympics.
The picture shows Zhang Hong, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Photo provided by the interviewee
It is through the efforts of generations of Chinese sportsmen that they have changed the perception of China by international sports organizations.
In Zhang Hong's view, "This is the result of joint efforts. In the future, we have the goal of building from a sports power to a sports power."
In an exclusive interview with a reporter from Chinanews.com, Zhang Hong proposed that more talents should be sent to international sports organizations through the integration of sports and education in colleges and universities and the improvement of campus competitions.
In addition, she also hopes to increase the bidding for international comprehensive sports events and enhance the city's international influence.
Send more talents to international sports organizations
After 2018, Zhang Hong explored the field of sports diplomacy and served in four international sports organizations including the International Olympic Committee.
Her rich professional experience gave her insight into the need to further increase China's voice in international sports organizations if it wants to firmly occupy a place among sports powers in the future.
"The culture of international sports organizations is changing day by day. We not only need athletes and officials, but also need more people to go deep into the internal work of international sports organizations."
The picture shows Zhang Hong, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Photo provided by the interviewee
Talking about how to better achieve this goal, Zhang Hong said frankly that the integration of sports and education in colleges and universities is the key.
Zhang Hong introduced that she has been studying sports management related courses at home and abroad in recent years, involving the culture and management of international sports organizations, international event management and other aspects.
"I realize that sports is a new employment opportunity, including event operation, sports management, venue design, etc." Zhang Hong hopes that more retired athletes and young people in college will be able to find employment in the sports field in the future.
Zhang Hong, who ended her 23-year sports career, is now a researcher at the Sports Department of Harbin Institute of Technology. At the end of last year, she participated in the establishment of the Olympic Research Center, aiming to spread Olympic culture to more young people and guide them to become future sportsmen.
In addition, Zhang Hong emphasized the importance of perfecting the university competition system. "If there is no competition, athletes and special recruits will not be able to give full play to their advantages." She said that five or ten years after the campus talent training model is perfected, China will build on the existing foundation. Add a path to develop top athletes.
And the way of "sports while studying" will also dispel the idea that parents do not want their children to practice sports.
"I believe that more parents and teenagers are willing to participate in sports activities during their studies." Zhang Hong said.
The picture shows Zhang Hong, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Photo provided by the interviewee
Intensify bids for comprehensive competitions
Zhang Hong also proposed that he hopes to promote the establishment of domestic bidding teams for international competitions in provinces and cities with mature conditions.
From the Beijing Olympic Games, Winter Olympics, Nanjing Youth Olympic Games, Guangzhou Asian Games, to the Wuhan Military Games and the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games, many cities already have complete supporting facilities for sports venues. related experience has been accumulated.
"Comprehensive or large-scale sports events are the most direct channel to enhance a city's international influence and increase its international business card." In Zhang Hong's eyes, the construction of a sports power also requires the emergence of more international cities that can host events.
In addition, bidding for and holding large-scale sports events will also increase the participation of local citizens in sports and increase the employment rate.
"We have 10 million graduates every year. How to make college students more involved in sports work also needs to be considered."
Fully Realize the Value of Retired Talents
A few days ago, four departments including the State Sports General Administration and the Ministry of Education jointly issued the "Implementation Opinions on Setting up Coach Posts in Schools", proposing that more high-level retired athletes can enter the education system as coaches.
Zhang Hong was deeply touched by this.
She initiated and established the "Rainbow Fund" in 2020 to promote the integration of sports and education.
"Completed the signing with the Harbin Municipal Government and the Harbin Municipal Education Bureau, allowing physical education to enter 100 school campuses, and fulfilling the goal of campus participation in the Olympic Games." Based on this, more retired athletes have the opportunity to coach in schools.
The picture shows Zhang Hong, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Photo provided by the interviewee
After several years of development, the efforts of the "Rainbow Fund" have achieved initial results.
"Some schools have won provincial championships. Harbin Wenfu Middle School is famous for its basketball, and some children from Hainan went to Harbin to go to school to play basketball."
However, compared with the abundant educational resources, the number of professional coaches is obviously lacking.
Zhang Hong said that after a retired athlete transforms into a professional coach, he cannot be fixed in a certain school, but must spread to 5-10 schools.
In addition, during the school period, professional coaches should pay attention to echelon construction and train local physical education teachers.
"Professional coaches can also lead school teams, district teams and even city teams to play games." In Zhang Hong's eyes, this kind of development model can fully realize the value of retired athletes and coaches.
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