The “To Be Super Kids” Triathlon of the 17th Beijing Olympic City Sports Culture Festival took place at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park on August 23. The event was co-hosted by the Beijing Olympic City Development Association (BODA), the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau, and the Shunyi District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, and organized by the Beijing Olympic City Development Center and the Shunyi District Sports Bureau, with support from Beijing Shunyi Culture and Tourism Group (BSCTG) and Beijing Shunlv Water Park Investment and Development Co., Ltd. Around 500 kids aged 6 to 15 took on three events (swim, bike, run) at the venue built for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.

As one of the 2026 Youth Olympic Education Study Program, the event closely followed the requirements set forth in the Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development regarding the development of recreational sports and the promotion of youth fitness. By hosting youth sports competitions, the event served to improve venue utilization, promote sport participation among youths, and disseminate Olympic culture. In addition to athletes, referees, and media representatives, officials present at the event included Yao Hui, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of BODA and Director of the Beijing Olympic City Development Center; Zhou Xin, Deputy District Mayor of Shunyi District; Shi Jiangping, Level-II Bureau Rank Official of the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau; Wang Haotian, Deputy Director of the Sports, Health, and Arts Division of the Beijing Municipal Education Commission; Li Lei, Deputy Director of the Shunyi District Sports Bureau; and Liu Ting, champion of the women’s elite group of the 2010 National Triathlon Champion Cup Series. Distinguished guests sounded the starting horn for the race.

Guests sound the starting horn.

Youth triathletes complete at Olympic venue

The Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park hosted rowing, canoeing, and marathon swimming competitions of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Beijing’s successful bid for the Summer Olympics, and this prestigious venue has now witnessed the athletic passion of youth triathletes.

Based on the age characteristics of participants aged 6 to 15, competitions were organized into three categories: U9, U12, and U15. Athletes in the U9 category should complete a total distance of 6.8km, including a 0.3km swim, a 5km cycle ride, and a 1.5km run. The triathlon distance for the U12 and U15 categories was 7.5km, consisting of a 0.3 km swim, a 5km cycle ride, and a 2.2km run.

Kids compete in the triathlon

Winners in each category were decided after intense competition.

U15 Boys: Yan Rongzhi, Jiang Yuyang, and Li Fangxin took the top three spots;

Yao Hui presents awards to winners of the U15 Boys category.

U15 Girls: Liu Shutong, Xing Zimo, and Victoria Wang (Canada) secured the top three places;

Zhou Xin presents awards to winners of the U15 Girls category.

U12 Boys: Yang Encheng, Sun Lixian, and Li Weishi finished in the top three;

Xia Rihong, Deputy Director-General of the Beijing Olympic City Development Center, presents awards to winners of the U12 Boys category.

U12 Girls: Chen Jiaying, Zhang Xiamo, and Li Shiwei were among the top three;

Li Lei presents awards to winners of the U12 Girls category.

U9 Boys: Zhou Qixuan, Liu Zhanyi, and Shang Guande took the top three spots;

Kong Xiangzhi, Manager of Beijing Shunlv Water Park Investment and Development Co., Ltd., presents awards to winners of the U9 Boys category.

U9 Girls: Fang Xinyuan, Qi Xingtong, and Li Muchen finished in the top three.

Liu Ting presents awards to winners of the U9 Girls category.

All finishers received commemorative medals and result certificates. Outstanding athletes in each category were also recognized, and six-year-old Zhuang Minglang, the youngest finisher of the event, was granted the Youngest Participant Award.

Xin Na, Deputy Manager of BSCTG, presents the Youngest Participant Award to Zhuang Minglang.

Finisher medals.

Integration of sports and culture enriches Olympic cultural experience

The dual Olympic campsite was open to young participants from August 22 to 23, integrating sports competitions with cultural immersion. The dual Olympic culture caravan showcased precious collections such as torches, medals, mascots, and badges from the two Olympic Games held in Beijing, bringing Olympic history to life through physical exhibits, archival footage, and guided tours. The campsite also featured experiential zones for water sports, cycling, and running, where young participants enjoyed hands-on experiences with these sports under professional guidance, further deepening their understanding of Olympic culture.

The dual Olympic campsite.

The dual Olympic culture caravan.

Sporting event promotes well-rounded youth development

The “To Be Super Kids” Triathlon is a flagship youth recreational sports event of the Beijing Olympic City Sports Culture Festival. The multisport race consisting of swimming, cycling, and running not only helps kids get stronger but also harnesses the power of sports to guide them to strategically manage energy during competition and build resilience, tenacity, and a never-give-up spirit.

Kids who competed in the triathlon pose for a group photo

The 17th Beijing Olympic City Sports Culture Festival has organized a series of activities centered on recreational sports and youth Olympic education. By hosting events at Olympic venues, the festival has advanced Olympic education from theory to practice and provided a great platform for the healthy growth and development of children, enabling to internalize sportsmanship through firsthand competition and exhibition experiences.