The “Olympic Culture Lecture” series, an Olympic culture promotion programme of the 15th Beijing Olympic City Sports Culture Festival, opened on 9 September, with the first interactive lecture held at Gucheng Middle School in Shijingshan District. Wang Bingyu, former leader of the Chinese women’s curling team and now a teacher at the China Snow Sports School of Beijing Sport University, came to Gucheng Middle School and gave an in-depth presentation on the Winter Olympic sport of curling. She introduced the history and rules of the sport and recounted the inspiring stories of the Chinese curling team’s efforts and achievements. The goal was to encourage the students in Beijing, the first and the only city in the world that has hosted both the Summer and Winter Olympics, to learn more about the Winter Olympics, nurture love for winter sports, keep both their mind and body fit and healthy. She also emphasised the importance of practicing and promoting the Olympic spirit through actions.

The Olympic Culture Lecture

Wang Bingyu’s presence brought Olympic vibes to the campus of Gucheng Middle School. She started with the origins and evolution of curling, giving the students a feel for the unique charm and competitive essence of the sport. Then, she elaborated on the competition rules, covering the layout of the curling sheet, the handling of the stones and the scoring system, which helped the students gain a clearer understanding of this seemingly intricate sport that is full of strategy.

Wang Bingyu imparts knowledge about curling

During her sharing, Wang Bingyu highlighted the impressive achievements of the Chinese curling team on the international stage, as well as the tough training and relentless efforts that underpin their success. She explained to the students that every victory of the team is inseparable from the collaboration and perseverance of each individual, stressing that “perseverance” and “passion” are at the heart of the spirit of winter sports. All students present were deeply inspired by the great tenacity and patriotic sentiment displayed by her and her curling teammates when competing for the honour of the country, along with their dedication and love for the sport.

Wang Bingyu tells storis about the Chinese curling team事

Wang Bingyu also interacted with the students, answered their questions about curling and encouraged them to engage in winter sports.

The students said that the opportunity to engage in close dialogue with the Olympic athlete left them an unforgettable memory, and they will carry forward the Olympic spirit, study diligently, increase physical activity and strive to win glory for the country in the future.

Vice Principal Zhou of Gucheng Middle School said that Wang Bingyu’s sharing not only disseminated knowledge about the Olympic Games but also spread the Olympic spirit. Wang shared her own experiences to tell the students that no matter how great the difficulties and challenges they face, as long as they persevere, remain passionate and dare to get ahead, they will ultimately accomplish things. This spirit is precisely what today’s youth need to embrace and carry forward.

Wang Bingyu signs autographs for the students

According to the host Beijing Olympic City Development Association (BODA), the “Olympic Culture Lecture” series is an important component of the 15th Beijing Olympic City Sports Culture Festival and also represents a concrete action for fulfilling BODA’s mission to “Carry on Olympic Spirit, Build a Better City”. This event invites experts in various fields such as sports, culture and education to hold cultural lectures and interact with the public, in a bid to carry forward the Olympic legacy, disseminate the Olympic sports culture throughout society, especially among the youth, and spread the Olympic spirit more widely and on a deeper level.

A group photo of Wang Bingyu and the teachers and students of Gucheng Middle School