Yichang native dreams of dragon boat racing’s inclusion in Olympics
2024-08-12 20:08:48
By Tan Maolin, Yichang Three Gorges International Communication Studio
From August 8-10, several dragon boat races were held at the Marne River Sports Center as an exhibition sport event of Olympic Games Paris 2024. As the Olympic flame was ignited, the dreams of dragon boat enthusiasts in Yichang were reignited as well.
From August 8-10, several dragon boat races were held at the Marne River Sports Center as an exhibition sport event of Olympic Games Paris 2024. As the Olympic flame was ignited, the dreams of dragon boat enthusiasts in Yichang were reignited as well.
Cai Kezhang is the technical officer for the dragon boat event at the 19th Asian Games.
Cai Kezhang, a council member of the Chinese Dragon Boat Association and an international referee, has spent decades promoting dragon boat racing in the hopes of seeing it included in the Olympics.
Cai is the technical officer for the dragon boat event at the 19th Asian Games.
Dragon boat racing has deep historical roots in China and holds particular significance in Yichang, the birthplace of the Dragon Boat Festival. Yichang's connection to dragon boat racing dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty, with literary references and historical texts documenting its importance.
Since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the city's dragon boat races have regained their former glory and become a cultural emblem. The founding of the Chinese Dragon Boat Association in Yichang in 1985 marked the sport's transition from a grassroots activity to a more organized and international event.
Since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the city's dragon boat races have regained their former glory and become a cultural emblem. The founding of the Chinese Dragon Boat Association in Yichang in 1985 marked the sport's transition from a grassroots activity to a more organized and international event.
The Second National "Qu Yuan Cup" Dragon Boat Race took place in Yichang in 1985.Cai's experience in sports administration has provided him with valuable insights into promoting dragon boat racing. His team has organized various competitions and secured a national training base in Zigui County.
Dragon boat racing has gained worldwide popularity in recent years, with over 50 million enthusiasts. It became an official event at the Asian Games in 2010 and an exhibition sport at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
In September 2020, Cai's team organized the inaugural China Dragon Boat Championship at the Three Gorges Dam, establishing it as a national-level event supporting Olympic inclusion. Yichang has since hosted this championship annually.
Cai emphasized the importance of standardization for dragon boat racing to be accepted into the Olympics. He has advocated for the use of fiberglass boats and standardized boat sizes, which has been recognized by the Chinese Dragon Boat Association.
To align with Olympic standards for water sports, Cai's team developed a smaller boat size, similar to kayaking, and redesigned the dragon head for a more modern appeal.
In 2023, Cai's team convinced the International Canoe Federation (ICF) to hold the Dragon Boat World Cup in Zigui County, featuring "Olympic-standard dragon boats."
During a special program of China Central Television Station (CCTV) for the Dragon Boat Festival on June 6, ICF President Thomas Konietzko announced that the 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Cup would take place in Zigui, further exciting Cai, who sees this as a recognition of Yichang's efforts to promote dragon boat racing towards the global audiences.
With dragon boat racing included as an exhibition sport in both the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, Cai remains optimistic about the future and believes that the dreams of dragon boat enthusiasts worldwide will be realized through ongoing efforts.
Dragon boat racing has gained worldwide popularity in recent years, with over 50 million enthusiasts. It became an official event at the Asian Games in 2010 and an exhibition sport at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
In September 2020, Cai's team organized the inaugural China Dragon Boat Championship at the Three Gorges Dam, establishing it as a national-level event supporting Olympic inclusion. Yichang has since hosted this championship annually.
Cai emphasized the importance of standardization for dragon boat racing to be accepted into the Olympics. He has advocated for the use of fiberglass boats and standardized boat sizes, which has been recognized by the Chinese Dragon Boat Association.
To align with Olympic standards for water sports, Cai's team developed a smaller boat size, similar to kayaking, and redesigned the dragon head for a more modern appeal.
In 2023, Cai's team convinced the International Canoe Federation (ICF) to hold the Dragon Boat World Cup in Zigui County, featuring "Olympic-standard dragon boats."
During a special program of China Central Television Station (CCTV) for the Dragon Boat Festival on June 6, ICF President Thomas Konietzko announced that the 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Cup would take place in Zigui, further exciting Cai, who sees this as a recognition of Yichang's efforts to promote dragon boat racing towards the global audiences.
With dragon boat racing included as an exhibition sport in both the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, Cai remains optimistic about the future and believes that the dreams of dragon boat enthusiasts worldwide will be realized through ongoing efforts.
