On April 19, over 30 journalists from national and Greater Bay Area media visited Huizhou Sports School, the venue for China's 15th National Games' skateboarding and speed skating events, for an early look at preparations. There, they observed the Guangdong Skateboarding Team and the Hong Kong Speed Skating Team in training.
 
At the skate park, young athletes showcased their agility, performing dazzling tricks as they prepared for the upcoming event. Among them was 12-year-old Zheng Haohao, China's youngest-ever Olympian, who competed in the Paris Olympics last year.

 

“This venue feels especially familiar to me. It's where I usually train,” said Zheng, beaming with a bright smile. “Competing at home makes me feel more relaxed, and I'm hoping to perform some unique, high-difficulty tricks at the National Games.”
 
For Eduardo Alvares, a Brazilian coach of Guangdong's skateboarding team, training at the competition venue is a significant advantage. “They work so hard. I hope they achieve good results in the Games,” he stated.

 

Meanwhile, on the adjacent speed skating track, athletes from Hong Kong sped around the pink course. Wat Suk Hing, the coach of the Hong Kong speed skating team, frequently brings her athletes to Huizhou during holidays to familiarise them with a standard competition venue.
 
“In Hong Kong, it's extremely difficult to build a proper speed skating venue due to limited space and high costs,” Wat explained. “Our skaters usually train on flat football fields, but real tracks have slopes. We truly appreciate the opportunity to train here.”

 

This year's Games will be co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, with Huizhou designated to host events in taekwondo, skateboarding, and roller skating.
 
Renovations at the school are set to begin in the coming months. According to Liu Zehua, Deputy Chief of the Mass Sports Section at Huizhou's Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau, the improvements will include resurfacing the roller rink, upgrading seating, and constructing a new bowl park for skateboarding.
 
“Our approach is to make smart use of existing facilities,” Liu said. “Instead of large-scale reconstruction, we're focusing on targeted upgrades. Hosting the Games in a cost-effective, sustainable way is our guiding principle.”
 
Reporter | Chen Siyuan

Photo | Liang Zijian

Video | Liang Zijian

Poster | Liang Zijian

Editor | Hu Nan, James, Shen He