Team China celebrates after winning gold in the team technical event at the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup 2024 held at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing, China, April 5, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

The opening leg of the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup 2024 concluded at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing on April 7. The three-day event marked the dual-Olympic venue's debut as the host of a world-class water sports competition since the conclusion of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

About 100 elite artistic swimmers from 14 teams worldwide participated in the event. Team China topped the medal tally in the opening leg with six golds and three silvers out of the 11 events on offer, continuing to showcase its global prowess in the sport.

To ensure the smooth execution of the competition, the National Aquatics Center provided comprehensive venue services, including competition and warm-up areas, registration and interview zones, and press facilities.

The venue set up a dedicated task force to work with the competition's organizing committee and oversee various aspects of event management, such as athlete registration, facility maintenance, and other logistical support. This guaranteed that all facilities were in top condition for the athletes.

It also ensured the uninterrupted operation of other activities, such as tours and ice sports, while maintaining the safe and orderly execution of the competition, ultimately providing audiences with the best viewing experience possible.

The successful conclusion of the competition underscores the center's commitment to excellence in event management and venue services. Leveraging its status as the sole venue in the world capable of simultaneously hosting both water and ice sports, the center has continued to popularize public fitness programs and promote sports culture since the conclusion of the Beijing 2022.

Young curling athletes compete during the fourth leg of the Beijing Youth Curling Club League at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing, Nov. 5, 2023. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Efforts have been made to popularize curling sports, with initiatives such as youth training programs and team-building projects. The venue has also actively organized and hosted mass sports events, diversified its services in both water and ice sports programs, and proactively developed original sports events such as the Ice Cube Curling Invitational and the Beijing Youth U-series Diving Championship.

In addition, the National Aquatics Center has worked to develop more programs related to cultural and sporting tourism. This year, a festive extravaganza was launched during the Spring Festival holiday, featuring displays of dragon-shaped decorations, light shows, and a dragon-year-themed exhibition. The venue has also diversified its sports training programs, offering table tennis, tennis, and basketball training services.

An undated photo shows a dragon-year-themed exhibition inside the National Aquatics Center in Beijing during the Spring Festival season in 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Looking ahead, the National Aquatics Center remains dedicated to its post-Beijing 2022 goals of sustainable venue management, aiming to gain valuable experience in hosting major international events and training athletic talents. By leveraging its expertise and resources, the venue seeks to further contribute to Beijing's cultural and sports industry while providing high-quality products and services to meet the evolving demands of consumers.