“中国体育快速发展改变全球冬季运动格局”——访国际奥委会终身名誉主席托马斯·巴赫

Core Insights - The interview with Thomas Bach highlights his ongoing commitment to the Olympic movement and his positive views on China's development in sports, particularly winter sports [1][3][4]. Group 1: Development of Chinese Sports - Bach reflects on the significant transformation in China since his first visit in 1980, noting the impressive increase in both the number of medals won by Chinese athletes and the frequency of international events hosted by China [3]. - He emphasizes the importance of the National Games opening ceremony, which he found to be a perfect blend of athletic excellence, traditional culture, music, and advanced technology [3]. - Bach acknowledges the Chinese government's increased focus on the role of sports in education and public health, highlighting the positive impact on youth engagement in physical activities [3]. Group 2: Winter Sports and Global Impact - Bach praises China's achievement of engaging 300 million people in winter sports, which he believes has significantly altered the global landscape of winter sports [4]. - He describes the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics as a pivotal moment for global winter sports, attributing the increased participation to the enthusiasm of the Chinese public [4]. Group 3: Olympic Movement and Reforms - Bach discusses the challenges faced during his 12-year tenure, including declining viewership and the need for modernization of the Olympic movement, which led to the establishment of the Olympic Agenda 2020 reform framework [5]. - He stresses the importance of unity within the Olympic movement to address various challenges, including geopolitical tensions and doping scandals [6]. - Bach asserts that the core values of the Olympic movement, such as respect and understanding, must remain unchanged despite evolving methods to achieve them [6]. Group 4: Refugee Support Initiatives - Bach, as the chair of the Olympic Refuge Foundation, highlights the establishment of the Olympic refugee team to raise awareness about the refugee crisis and provide hope to displaced individuals [7]. - He notes the alarming increase in the global refugee population, which has risen from approximately 60-65 million to 120 million [7]. - The foundation aims to support nearly 1 million young refugees in sports, enhancing their confidence, health, and sense of community [8]. - Bach expresses gratitude for China's support in these initiatives, which are crucial for the foundation's ongoing efforts [8].