Group 1: Company Expansion and Sponsorship - Li Ning has signed a sponsorship deal with the Chinese Fencing Association, becoming the official sponsor of the Chinese national fencing team, showcasing specialized sports equipment for the team [1][2] - This sponsorship is part of Li Ning's broader Olympic concept sponsorship strategy, which includes partnerships with various national sports teams [2][3] - The reported cost for the partnership with the Chinese Olympic Committee for the 2025-2028 period is approximately 800 million yuan, but actual investments will exceed this amount due to additional marketing and channel expenses [3][4] Group 2: Financial Performance and Market Challenges - Li Ning's retail sales have seen a mid-single-digit decline in the third quarter, contrasting with Nike's 10% drop in revenue in the Greater China region [4] - For the first half of the year, Li Ning reported a revenue increase of 3.3% to 14.82 billion yuan, while net profit attributable to shareholders fell by 11% to 1.74 billion yuan [4][5] - The company is prioritizing inventory management and may increase discounts to maintain healthy inventory levels amid external market pressures [5] Group 3: Future Outlook - Despite current challenges, Li Ning's increased investment in Olympic sponsorship reflects the company's confidence in future growth [6]