Photo: Li Hao/GT

Not far from the Place de la Bastille in Paris, there is an ancient 19th century building called the Bastille Design Center. While reporting on the Paris 2024 Olympics, I visited this iconic venue for art exhibitions and cultural activities in Paris on Tuesday for an exhibition about the Chinese sports culture.

The Vigor and Sportsmanship - Chinese Sports Culture Exhibition opened on July 23 ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games, another milestone event marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. 

Featuring 139 items or sets from the collection of the China Sports Museum, with the oldest of which dates back to the Shang Dynasty (c.1600BC-1046BC), the show illustrates the history of Chinese sports and the never-say-die spirit of Chinese athletes, while introducing visitors to the practice of sport in ancient China.

The exhibition was divided into four sections: Same Origin, Symbiosis, Integration, and Mutual Learning. 

The first section of Same Origin signifies the primitive forms of sports developed alongside the human culture. The artifacts from different dynasties reflect the close connection between the emergence of sports activities and human production and daily life.

What impressed me most was the third section of Integration. This part showcases a series of historical milestones in Chinese sports from 1917 to 2023, illustrating China's integration with the world of sports. 

Photo: Li Hao/GT

For me, this was like seeing textbook content and childhood memories come to life as if personally experiencing those thrilling moments. Many Chinese visitors paused to take photos with the trophies of the men's team event from the 26th World Table Tennis Championships and the 1981 Volleyball Women's World Cup. These trophies represent glorious moments in Chinese sports history and the widespread popularity of the sports in China. 

The wall of the Integration section is adorned with historical milestones marking China's journey in the Olympic Games. These include the first time China participated in the Olympics, the first Olympic gold medal, and the first Winter Olympics gold medal, all of which evoke a strong sense of national pride and excitement among visitors.

This section also features China's basketball legend Yao Ming's game-worn sneakers. Many visitors enthusiastically compare their hands, arms, and shoes to his, creating a joyous atmosphere.

The show enticed many foreign visitors. A French couple spent a long time admiring the gold and silver inlaid tiger and dragon bow holder from the Warring States period (475BC-221BC). Afterward, they went to the nearby archery experience area and exchanged tips with me trying out archery: "You should place your fingers like this... Yes, this part needs to be secure..."  After several attempts, they finally hit the target and left feeling satisfied.

When I decided to leave my message on the guest book. I found a note left by another visitor that reads, "The visit to the exhibition was an incredibly exciting experience. Each exhibit tells a story about the profound history and culture of Chinese sports. The section that impressed me the most was the one about China's journey in the Olympics. It highlights the cultural heritage and global impact of Chinese sports."