ZHOUSHAN, China, June 14,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer, the 4th Zhejiang
Ocean Games were grandly held on the picturesque island of Shengsi,
attracting over 7,000 marine sports enthusiasts from across the
country. Spanning from May to June, this month-long competition has
significantly boosted attention towards Zhejiang's burgeoning marine economy and
island tourism.
On May 18th, the Ocean Games
kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony themed "Sailing to
the Sea." The event seamlessly blended sports, tourism, and island
leisure, offering participants not only the thrill of marine
sports, but also a deep dive into the local marine culture.
The competition featured 15 diverse events focusing on the
beach, island circuit as well as the sea itself, including cycling,
trail walking, beach volleyball/soccer/tug of war/frisbee, sailing,
sea fishing, surfing, paddle boarding and open water swimming.
This year, the Games fully leveraged Shengsi's abundant marine
resources, introducing new Olympic
sports such as kiteboarding and coastal rowing sprints.
These additions aligned the event more closely with international
standards. Furthermore, as a comprehensive ocean sports event
combining competitive sports with national fitness activities, the
organizing committee included accessible and entertaining events
like beach volleyball, island trail walking, and paddle boarding.
Also included, as a demonstration event, was the Olympic Sport of kite surfing with their
kites providing a colourful backdrop to the marvellous opening
ceremony.
Zhoushan, the host venue, is home to Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, the
largest port in the Far East and the world's leading port for cargo
throughput for 14 consecutive years. Positioned at the nexus of the
Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, it
connects over 600 ports across the world in more than 190 countries
and regions. Hosting the Ocean Games in Zhoushan, a major
comprehensive sports event in Zhejiang
Province, highlights the integration of marine sports with
island resources. This fusion of culture, tourism, and sports not
only offers a new business model for Shengsi's marine economy but
also sets a precedent for Zhejiang
Province in exploring the transformation and upgrading of
its marine industry.
Under the sunshine and gentle
sea breeze, competing on a picturesque beach is a pleasant and
wonderful experience, remarked one
participant, who brought the family
to Shengsi for a unique island vacation.
The 4th Zhejiang Ocean Games have successfully showcased the
charm of Zhejiang's marine
culture, promoting a vibrant marine economy and positioning Shengsi
as a premier destination for marine sports and tourism while
providing a glimpse of the archipelago's potential as a sports and
leisure Mecca.
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SOURCE The 4th Zhejiang Ocean Games