AIGLE, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The International Cycling Union (UCI)'s cooperation with China can create a "ripple effect" across broader regions, popularizing cycling and the healthy lifestyle, a UCI senior official said.
Jacques Landry, the director of the World Cycling Center (WCC) of UCI expressed to Xinhua on Thursday his confidence as China, with its vast cycling foundation, increasingly engages in this sport.
An eight-member Chinese BMX racing team is participating in a four-week training camp at the WCC, the UCI headquarters.
When the journalist arrived at the WCC in Aigle, Switzerland, five Chinese BMX racing athletes were training intensely.
"Our center has previously trained Chinese road race or track cyclists, and we prepared together for the Rio Olympics. It's great to have five more girls here for training this time," said Landry.
BMX racing is an emerging Olympic sport in recent years. It originated in California, the United States, in the mid-to-late 20th century. In the 1980s, the sport was incorporated into the UCI, and was subsequently included in the Olympic competition for the first time at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Landry noted that high-level training will help Chinese athletes become more competitive.
"You need to become stronger by racing against other riders," Landry said, noting that the five Chinese athletes have been training here for over a week. "Our goal is to ensure that athletes acquire more skills, tactical and technical abilities, ultimately aiming to be among the world's best."
These training sessions are part of the UCI's cooperation with the Chinese Cycling Association (CCA). Landry explained, "For us, cooperation with the CCA will help establish partnerships with provinces across China. By working with different provinces in China, we can bring more athletes who will become stronger and bring their skills back to China, enhancing the level of BMX in the country. Perhaps eventually, one or two BMX riders from China will qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and even make it to the finals."
However, the UCI's ambitions extend beyond just training athletes capable of winning Olympic gold; they also aim to promote a sport and a healthy lifestyle through the influence of the Olympic Games. "When we talk about strategy, it's about how to cultivate a cycling culture and heritage within your country," Landry said.
For the UCI, establishing this culture involves more cyclists becoming advocates in their own countries. If athletes win medals on the track, they become role models that inspire others to get involved in the sport. "For example, China won a gold medal in BMX freestyle at the Paris Olympics, which might encourage children to try the sport and popularize it. The same effect occurs when you win a medal in BMX racing," Landry said.
"Part of our goal is to promote cycling in more non-traditional cycling countries. The World Cycling Center focuses on working with athletes, many of whom come from emerging cycling nations," Landry said. "We want to see more countries outside of Europe gain recognition, which means we are fulfilling our role as the World Cycling Center."
Currently, the UCI has been actively developing cycling in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania. The UCI has established 11 centers globally, including centers in New Zealand, India, South Africa, Peru, and the Asian branch on Chongming Island in Shanghai, China. Through these centers, the UCI has been promoting the development of cycling at the regional level.
Landry said, "I have visited China several times, and in Beijing and Shanghai, we see more and more bike lanes and people cycling, which is significant not only for sports but also for health."
"In fact, all the cooperation we are doing with China for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics could pave the way for other countries," he said. "China plays a leadership role in the development and direction of many things in Asia. If we help China develop this sport, it will create a 'ripple effect' in neighboring countries."
No Chinese rider qualified for BMX racing at this summer's Paris Olympics. However, BMX is popular at the grassroots level in China, with tracks in many provinces and thousands of children training regularly in cycling clubs. ■
