Nanjing is a stepping stone for budding Olympians

What you need to know:

  • Nanjing 2014 promises to combine traditional Chinese culture with the green concept, exposing the participants to modern trends in sports, healthy living, green development and ancient history.
  • The famous Chinese navigator, Zheng He, visited Malindi town almost 1600 years ago and established friendships with the local people. He had set sail from Longjiang port in Nanjing.

Kenya’s upcoming Olympians must be excited about Nanjing 2014. It offers them a rare opportunity to introduce themselves to the world, and most importantly, to open their eyes to the world.

The Second Summer Youth Olympic Games will take place in China from August 16 to 28. The iconic Nanjing City is ideal for cultural exploration and educational exchanges.

The Youth Olympics are an elite sporting event for young people aged between 15 and 18 years from all over the world. Just like the Olympics, they are held every four years, but this time for youth from different countries and regions to exchange their cultures and cement their friendships through sports.

The Games are distinct from other sporting events in that besides competing for honours, they emphasize cultural exchanges and friendship through the integration of a unique culture and education programme (CEP) based around five main themes: Olympism, social responsibility, skills development, expression and well-being, and healthy lifestyles.

China has grown to be an Olympics powerhouse in recent years and the success of the Beijing Olympics is a clear testimony. Nanjing 2014 promises to combine traditional Chinese culture with the green concept, exposing the participants to modern trends in sports, healthy living, green development and ancient history.

A popular saying goes: The City of Nanjing, half the history of China. Once China’s capital city, Nanjing bears the marks of ancient civilisation at almost every turn. It is encircled by the Ming city wall, the longest in the world.

SUNK IN MALINDI

The Confucius temple in Nanjing is a must-see. Kenyan athletes will be particularly interested because of the multiple number of Confucius institutes in Kenya and the rising interest in Chinese language and culture.

Moreover, Nanjing bears an important historical significance: The famous Chinese navigator, Zheng He, visited Malindi town almost 1600 years ago and established friendships with the local people. He had set sail from Longjiang port in Nanjing.

The remnants of Admiral Zheng’s legacy can still be found in present-day Boachuan shipyard and Tianfe Temple in Longjian, while Chinese porcelain and artefacts have been discovered in Malindi and archaeologists are trying to find his missing ship, believed to have sunk there.

Kenyan athletes who specialise in long-distance running can use this opportunity to learn about other sports and appreciate the diversity that exists at the Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee has announced a list of 37 athlete role models who will attend. They include former Olympics and world champions and legendary names from the world of sports.

In Nanjing, they will play a key role in supporting and mentoring the 3,800 young athletes from across the globe.

Kenya-born Wilson Kipketer, an Olympics medallist and multiple world champion, was honoured as a role model in the first Summer Youth Olympic games in Singapore, and his sentiments captured the spirit of the Youth Olympics vividly.

“The youth Olympics is a time for young athletes to learn, get used to everything,” he said. “The games are a platform for them to plan for the future.”

Mr Njogu is a freelance writer on socio-cultural issues.