One particularly telling example is the marathon fever that has gripped the country: the number of marathon races held in China ballooned from 22 six years ago to an estimated 600 in 2017, attracting some 5 million participants. Running, hiking and skiing have become popular among people of all ages while bodybuilding, square dancing and other sports are also on the rise. If all goes as expected, the country of 1.3 billion will have 435 million people regularly taking part in sport by 2020.

When the inaugural National Games was held in 1959, the country called to "develop sports to improve the fitness of the people" when China was rebuilding itself after years of ravaging war. More than half a century later, the push to encourage healthier lifestyles is boosting national confidence. The National Games has pride of place in China's overall sport reform effort that seeks to, above all else, put the people and their well-being first.

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