As spring sets in, the excitement around athletics continues to soar, with spectacular moments happening both on and off the track. The World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25 have reached their final day, and Jiangsu-born athlete LIU Junxi, fresh off winning the bronze medal in the men’s 60m hurdles, made a surprise visit to Jiangbei Business District to interact with fans. On March 23rd, the “Athletics Stars Shine in Business Districts”event, part of the Four Seasons Series: Spring Renewal in Jiangbei New Area, took place at Sasseur Outlets, offering a unique experience for sports enthusiasts.
LIU Junxi’s Surprise Appearance: Up-Close Interactions and Insights into the Competition
“Hello, everyone! I’m LIU Junxi!”As soon as LIU Junxi stepped onto the stage, the atmosphere instantly heated up. During the sharing session, he admitted: “I’m not entirely satisfied with my performance in this competition. I didn’t fully showcase my best abilities to everyone.” When asked whether he envisions creating his own “LIU Junxi Era” in the future, he responded humbly: “For now, I just focus on doing my best and taking things step by step.” Speaking about his impression of Nanjing, LIU Junxi said, “I have a great impression of Nanjing! In fact, I live and train here, so whenever I have free time on the weekends, I like to explore the city.”
Later, LIU Junxi participated in the Street Athletics Carnival experience zone, joining students from Nanjing Sport Institute’s School of Athletic Training in a series of fun challenges. In the Cycling Cube Challenge, he pedaled a stationary bike alongside the students, lighting up the “Nanjing’s Cube” with synchronized movements. Other challenges, like hurdling on a reflexology board and vertical jump tests, were equally thrilling, keeping the crowd engaged and cheering.“Just do your best, focus on yourself, and keep pushing forward!”LIU Junxi encouraged his juniors from Nanjing Sport Institute, sharing words of motivation.
In addition to the sporting activities, LIU Junxi tried his hand at traditional soap-making, experiencing the intricate process of hydrolyzing silk fibers, stirring the mixture, and molding the soap—a fascinating glimpse into Chinese craftsmanship.He also engaged closely with fans, signing souvenirs and fulfilling their wishes for a special keepsake from the event.
Street Athletics Carnival: A Community-Wide Celebration of Sports
From March 21st to 23rd, the Street Athletics Carnival took place at Sasseur Outlets, inviting citizens to participate in interactive challenges. Attendees who completed an initial set of athletic tasks received a challenge booklet, collecting stamps to qualify for a lucky draw with exciting prizes.The carnival featured cycling challenges, reflexology hurdles, frisbee tic-tac-toe, and a light sprint race, attracting participants of all ages, from energetic young adults,to curious children eager to try new sports.
Adding to the excitement, students from Nanjing Sport Institute delivered thrilling performances in boxing and taekwondo, showcasing the power and grace of martial arts. The Spring Renewal Marketplace also attracted shoppers with unique cultural and creative products, including Jinling gold foil, a national intangible cultural heritage item, and Nanjing Soap, a well-known product featured at the China International Import Expo and the “Jiangsu Charm” cultural exhibition in Hong Kong and Macau.Additionally, a licensed merchandise booth for the World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25 was set up, offering mascot plush toys, tote bags, water bottles, and other creative souvenirs, capturing the attention of visitors.
This event provided citizens with a rare opportunity to interact with professional athletes, fostering a deeper appreciation for athletics. The “Sports + Commerce”model successfully transformed the excitement of the championship into increased consumer engagement, proving to be a win-win strategy for sports and local businesses alike.
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