On June 2, the 2013 Infinitus World Walking Day event was held in Shenyang.
"As a resident of Shenyang, I want to start with myself—making exercise a part of daily life and fitness a regular habit, using healthy movement to welcome the arrival of the National Games," said Jiang Xin, a Shenyang citizen who participated in the "Walking Day" event with his whole family on the morning of the 2nd.
On that day, the "2013 Infinitus World Walking Day" event, hosted by the All-China Sports Federation, organized by the Mass Sports Department of the 12th National Games Organizing Committee, the Liaoning Provincial Sports Bureau, and the Shenyang Municipal Sports Bureau, and exclusively sponsored by Infinitus (China) Company Ltd., kicked off in Shenyang, the main host city of the 12th National Games. Over ten thousand Shenyang residents gathered at the closing ceremony venue of the 12th National Games. Dressed in white sportswear, they promoted healthy travel by walking and celebrated the upcoming 12th National Games.
According to the organizers, the "Walking Day" event has been held in China for the fourth consecutive year. This year’s event is scheduled to take place in 12 cities across the country over a span of seven months, with Shenyang being the third stop. Unlike previous years, this year’s walk added five new styles: "tiptoe walking, heel walking, backward walking, arm-swinging walking, and patting walking." The "experience zone" set up at the event also helped participants understand the health benefits of each walking method.
The 12th National Games is set to open in Liaoning Province on August 31 this year, and the slogan "National Fitness, Shared National Games" is gaining increasing popularity. Sun Yongyan, Director of the Liaoning Provincial Sports Bureau, said at the opening ceremony of the event, "‘National Games for All’ encapsulates the fundamental purpose of sports—allowing the public to enjoy the benefits of the National Games, participate in them, and experience the spirit of sports. The walking event is perfectly suited for every ordinary citizen."
It is understood that as the main host city of the National Games, Shenyang in Liaoning Province is not only a hub for competitive sports but also one of the most active cities in the province when it comes to mass sports activities. Sports venues, fitness centers, and residential communities are often filled with local residents engaging in exercise.
Data released by the 12th National Games Shenyang Organizing Committee shows that all 17 municipal and district-level national fitness centers in Shenyang were completed before May 1. Thirteen have already been put into use, and the remaining four will gradually open to the public. In addition, the city has also completed the construction of fitness zones in 106 parks and squares, as well as 131 fitness plazas (venues) in towns and subdistricts, achieving full coverage of outdoor fitness equipment in communities.