The 15th Games of Hunan Province will take place from September 6 to 16, and the 12th Paralympic Games of Hunan Province will be held from September 26 to 29 in Yiyang City, according to a press conference on June 8. Preparations for the events are progressing steadily and in an orderly manner.

Mascots "Zhuwa" and "Chabao" (Photo provided by the organizers)

The Games are hosted by the Hunan Provincial People's Government and organized by the Hunan Provincial Administration of Sport and the Yiyang Municipal People's Government. The theme slogan is "Picturesque Yiyang — Faster, Higher, and Stronger," and the official anthem is "Meet in Yiyang." The emblem uses Yiyang's initials "YY" to outline a running posture, incorporating elements such as green leaves, bamboo strips, Qianliang tea basket craftsmanship, and the rising sun, showcasing a vibrant, dynamic, and hospitable city image. The mascots "Zhuwa" and "Chabao," inspired by green bamboo and Qianliang tea, represent Yiyang's calling cards as the "Home of Bamboo" and "Home of Dark Tea."

The competition program of the 15th Games of Hunan Province is designed to reflect the actual state of sports development in Hunan, balancing competitiveness, mass participation, and inclusivity. It features 29 major events for the youth group and 12 major events for the adult group. A total of 15 delegations—representing 13 cities and one autonomous prefecture, as well as the Hunan Sports Vocational College—will compete in the Games.

With the theme "Confidence, Self-Reliance, and A Better Yiyang," the 12th Paralympic Games of Hunan Province will feature 11 major events, with a participation of 700 athletes. The competition also includes mass sports such as chess and darts to promote widespread development of sports among people with disabilities. Its emblem transforms the letter "Y" and the number "12" into a wheelchair athlete, with the two wheels forming a heart and bamboo leaves as the race course, conveying a warm message of perseverance and assisting persons with disabilities to integrate better into society. The official anthem is "Blossom Together in Yiyang." The mascots are shared with the 15th Games of Hunan Province.

Preparations for the events are now in the final sprint stage. All venue construction has been completed, with ten newly built venues and 21 upgraded venues finished and accepted. The main venue Yiyang Olympic Park's "stadium, gymnasium, and natatorium," have met national competition standards. Barrier-free renovations for competition venues, hotels, and public transportation have been largely completed, and 1,970 volunteers have been recruited and received preliminary training.

Located in north-central Hunan, Yiyang has nurtured five Olympic champions—Gong Zhichao, Tian Qing, Shen Lijun, Jia Yifan, and Wen Xiaoyan—and 11 world champions, claiming 126 Olympic and world championship titles. Yiyang is renowned as the "Cradle of World Champions" and the "Home of Badminton."

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.  

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: Chinanews