The year 2009 is the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The past 60 years have witnessed a rapid development in China's sports scene. China has grown from a weak sporting country into a sports power of the world. Here’s a recap of China’s sports history.

In October 1949, after the People's Republic of China was founded, the central government convened a national congress of physical culture workers, at which the call to "develop a national, scientific and popular new sports cause" was issued.

On June 10, 1952, Chairman Mao Zedong wrote down the inscription, "develop sports, enhance people's physique," which pointed out the new direction China was to take in the world of sports. With the inscription being the guiding spirit, China's sports history has undergone a drastic change.

Chairman Mao Zedong’s inscription, "develop sports, enhance people's physique."

On July 17, 1952, the International Olympic Committee passed a resolution to invite China to take part in the Helsinki Olympics in Finland. China sent a delegation of 40 members to Helsinki. On July 29, the Chinese Olympic delegation held a flag-raising ceremony at the Olympic village, the first time that the five-starred red flag was raised at the Olympics. It is from Helsinki that China's Olympic dream started.

The Chinese Olympic delegation held a flag-raising ceremony at the Olympic village in Helsinki, July 29, 1952.

In 1959, Rong Guotuan, with his swift skills and unique style, took the gold in the men’s singles at the 25th World Table Tennis Championships. He was New China’s first world champion in any sport. The Chinese team has since played a dominant role in world table tennis circles ever since, becoming known as the "table tennis kingdom.”

However, developing the country’s sports cause wasn't always easy and it was affected by both international and domestic factors. In 1958, China quit some international sports organizations, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), due to the organization’s anti-China position. The Cultural Revolution, which resulted in nation-wide chaos and economic disarray, also prevented the development of sports in China.

In 1979, China resumed its seat in the IOC. Then on July 29, 1984, Chinese sports entered a new era. On that day, Xu Haifeng grabbed the gold in the individual free pistol 60 shots event at the 23rd Olympic Games in Los Angeles. It was China's first Olympic gold medal. It was also the first time China participated in the Olympic Games since it had rejoined the International Olympic Committee in 1979. China pocketed 15 gold medals at Los Angeles Olympics, ushering in a new Olympic period for China.

Xu Haifeng won China’s first Olympic gold medal at the 23rd Olympic Games.

Throughout the 60-year history of sports in China, outstanding individuals and teams have emerged. Famous athletes include Li Ning, an artistic gymnast, and Deng Yaping, a table tennis player. The women’s volleyball team that won the World Championship five times in a row during the 1980s and the diving team that some call the "dreaming team" are examples of just how much China has developed its sports.

Entering the 21st century, China dreamed of hosting the Olympic Games. The dream finally came true, as China hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. It was a great success and was described by IOC President Jacques Rogge as "a truly exceptional Olympics." During the Beijing Olympics, the Chinese delegation made a historic breakthrough, winning 51 gold medals, more than any other country. The Beijing Olympics, which is part of the development of New China's sports cause, will go down in history.

Opening ceremony at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Chinese athletes have earned glory for the country with their performances. They have inspired national pride and enhanced national unity. Up till June, 2009, Chinese athletes have collectively won 2,299 world championships and set 1,191 world records. China has become an international sports power.

(China.org.cn September 11, 2009)