This spring, Nanjing has undoubtedly been one of the most popular and talked-about cities.
Three days, 53 events, 78 medals, over 500 international and domestic athletes, 838 “Little Lime”volunteers, and a competition venue spanning more than 9,000 square meters- all for one grand occasion:
The World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25. Through exceptional organization, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant urban energy, Nanjing has presented itself to the world as a renowned sports city.
Fierce Competition – The Pulse of Sports Beats in a Legendary City
This was the first time that the World Athletics Indoor Championships was held in China. A tight three-day schedule and intense competition across 26 events ensured an electrifying athletics spectacle.
The first gold medal of the championships was claimed in the men’s triple jump final, where Italy’s Andy Díaz Hernández leaped 17.80 meters on his first attempt, setting a personal best and securing the championship with the best performance of the season.In the men’s pole vault, world record holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden claimed gold without suspense, clearing 6.15 meters, marking the 100th time in his career that he has surpassed six meters.The women’s 800m final saw South Africa’s Prudence Sekgodiso clock 1:58.40, setting a world-leading time for the season.Norwegian middle-distance star Jakob Ingebrigtsen dominated both the men’s 1500m and 3000m, securing double gold and reinforcing his reputation as a world-class champion.
For Team China, competing on home soil provided extra motivation, and their performances shone brightly.In the men’s triple jump final, ZHU Yaming set a season-best of 17.33 meters on his third attempt, earning a silver medal- China’s first medal of the championships.In the women’s shot put final, GONG Lijiao finished fifth with a best throw of 18.84 meters on her second attempt.In the men’s 60m final, XIE Zhenye set his season-best time and finished fourth, later encouraging China’s young track athletes to continue striving for excellence on the world stage.
XIE’s words of encouragement were quickly met with action.In the men’s 60m hurdles semifinal, young athletes LIU Junxi and QIN Weibo both advanced to the final. Ultimately,LIU Junxi claimed bronze with a time of 7.55 seconds, securing China’s second medal of the championships and becoming the first Chinese hurdler to win a world-level medal since LIU Xiang. On the final day, despite WU Yanni narrowly missing the women’s 60m hurdles final, she broke an 11-year-old national record with a time of 8.01 seconds in the semifinals.In the men’s 4×400m relay, Team China shattered the national record, further proving their growth on the global stage.Additionally, several Chinese athletes set personal bests and season-best performances, collectively showcasing the strength and potential of Chinese athletics to the world.
A Global Stage -Nanjing’s Cultural Charm Connects the World
The World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25 was not only a showdown between top international athletes but also a significant meeting point between Nanjing and the world.The event welcomed 11 defending champions from the last Indoor Championships, 20 Paris Olympic medalists and 9 world record holders.
Here, sports served as a universal language, allowing Nanjing to resonate globally.“On the track, athletes fought with all their might; off the track, the spectators cheered with passion. The atmosphere was truly electric!”said a spectator, Mr. ZHANG, after watching the first round of the men’s 60m on opening day.Chinese sprinter DENG Xinrui also praised the event, saying, “I love the energy of the crowd; their passion gives me even more motivation.”
Beyond the arena, athletes and spectators immersed themselves in the city’s rich cultural fabric, experiencing Nanjing’s unique charm firsthand. “I love Nanjing! This city has an incredible futuristic feel.”“The Confucius Temple left the biggest impression on me, not only because of its deep history and cultural charm, but also because of the breathtaking night views.”“The people of Nanjing are so welcoming, and the city is stunning. The sports atmosphere here is fantastic.”From high-tech innovation to historical landmarks and vibrant urban energy, international athletes and spectators praised Nanjing without hesitation.
Throughout the event, many foreign and domestic athletes visited landmarks, shopping districts, and schools, engaging in cultural exchange activities. Additionally, Nanjing offered personalized tourism and shopping packages for visitors, featuring 28 unique licensed souvenirs, allowing guests to take home lasting memories of the city.
Excellence in Every Detail -The “Nanjing Standard” in Global Sports
A world-class sporting event demands professional, efficient organization. The preparations for the championships were set in motion years in advance, ensuring a seamless and top-tier experience.
The main venue, “Nanjing’s Cube”, is China’s first large-scale indoor track and field stadium, covering over 9,000 square meters and accommodating more than 2,000 spectators.Equipped with cutting-edge Hawk-Eye tracking and motion capture systems, the venue allowed for precise officiating, while high-definition real-time replays on large screens enhanced the viewing experience.
A total of 838 volunteers (“Little Lime”), trained through specialized programs, provided exceptional and warm-hearted services across 66 different roles.At the “Volunteer Home”, World Athletics event operations coordinator Daniela Bratoveanu expressed her gratitude by writing “LOVE WIC NANJING VOLUNTEERS!” in Chinese calligraphy, stating, “I am incredibly pleased with the quality of work from every single volunteer. That’s why I wrote this—to show my love for all of them.”
To ensure high-quality service and support, the event organizing committee took a multi-faceted approach, providing strong backing for athletes in areas such as catering and medical services. Additionally, various service details throughout the event were equally commendable: metro services were extended until late at night, shuttle buses seamlessly connected to the venue, multi-language service stations were available, flexible ticket refund and exchange policies were implemented, and personalized cultural and tourism packages were offered. All of these demonstrated the“people-first”philosophy behind organizing the event.
“This is an international event with over 500 athletes from more than 120 countries participating. There are very few sports events in the world that have so many countries (and athletes) involved. I am very happy that we can all gather here in Nanjing.”As the competition was drawing to a close, Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, praised Nanjing’s organizational capabilities and issued an invitation to the world: Nanjing, through one sporting event after another, is showcasing its endless potential to the world.
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