The Junior Curling Challenge, part of the 14th Beijing Olympic City Sports Culture Festival and the Dual Olympic City Cultural Promotion Series, took place at the Ice Cube Ice Sports Center on December 30. The event was co-sponsored by the Beijing Olympic City Development Center and Beijing National Aquatics Center Co., Ltd.

   （Group photo of the players)

To crown the ultimate champion, the competition unfolded in two stages: a knockout stage followed by a ranking competition. Every match consisted of four rounds. The young players buzzed with boundless energy as they poured their hearts into the competition. Whenever a strategic goal was accomplished, the players’ faces would light up with confident smiles. The four teams fought fiercely on the ice, and eventually, the rankings were determined.

   （A scene from the competition)

   （A scene from the competition)

According to the event organizers, this competition has revolutionized the conventional format. Beyond incorporating a diverse team structure comprising both male and female members, it ingeniously introduced a model where seasoned veterans from Beijing Sport University guided aspiring curling enthusiasts from primary and secondary schools who have undergone specialized training. This competition model accelerates young curlers’ skill development by immersing them in real games, sharpening their tactics on the fly.

   （Students from Beijing Sport University interact with younger curlers)

   （A student from Beijing Sport University interacts with a younger curler)

The event also reached out to primary school students without any prior experience in curling, providing them with an immersive training program. According to the organizers, the training, held at the ice rinks used in the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 and top-notch venues that comply with the exacting standards of the Winter Olympics, offered young participants a cultural window into Beijing’s Olympic legacy and created opportunities to bring new people to the sport. Hands-on experiences and training ignited a passion for curling in young hearts.

   （A coach is conducting a curling training session for the young participants)

   （The young participants are trying their hand at curling)

   （The young participants are trying their hand at curling)

As part of the Dual Olympic City Cultural Promotion Series - Winter Sports, this event echoed the Dual Olympic City themed exhibition and the Youth Winter Sports Spring Carnival and the 10th Summer Palace Ice Sports Event. Through engaging Olympic-themed events that drew huge crowds, the organizers have connected the Olympic spirit with traditional Chinese culture and fostered a shared commitment to preserving the Olympic legacy and shaping a brighter future for the city. This event marked the successful conclusion of the 14th Beijing Olympic City Sports Culture Festival.

Launched by the Beijing Olympic City Development Association in 2010, the Beijing Olympic City Sports Culture Festival is a flagship Olympic legacy project recognized by the International Olympic Committee. In the past 14 years, the festival has drawn over 15 million people with a kaleidoscope of athletic and cultural feats. It has played a vital role in promoting the Olympic spirit, contributing to the shaping of a Healthy China, and transforming Beijing into a hub for international exchange. It has established itself as an influential urban sports and cultural brand for public fitness.