The first "Silver Olive" Cup Swimming Invitational, organized by the Silver Olive Sports World of the China International Youth Exchange Center (CIYEC), took place in Beijing on Oct 19.

The event was part of efforts to proactively respond to the national call for universal fitness, build a unique cultural and sports ecological zone along the Liangma River in Beijing and establish an international platform for sports and cultural exchanges in collaboration with the capital's Chaoyang District.

Almost 200 young swimming enthusiasts from China and abroad participated in the event. Relevant officials from the CIYEC, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, and Beijing Sport University attended the event.

With the theme of "Quality New Life", the event also aimed to promote exchanges among young people from different countries through swimming. Fu Lijun, a participant of the event, highlighted the event's diverse range of swimming competitions, including freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly and mixed medley relay. She said she hoped that swimmers of various nationalities, age groups, and skill levels would showcase their athletic prowess and passion for swimming.

Awarang, a former swimmer of the Bangladeshi national team, noted that the Silver Olive Sports World, with its unique olive-shaped design symbolizing peace and friendship, along with its advanced sports facilities, provides a high-quality competitive stage where every athlete can feel professionalism and respect.

Vassilia Pirierros from France, a long-time member of Silver Olive Sports World, attended the event with her child. She described sports as a universal language that transcends borders, races and cultures, and emphasized that cross-border friendship is the most precious gift that sport can offer.

Li Na, China's Olympic champion in the women's 10m platform diving at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and Chief Referee for the diving events at this year's Paris Olympics, provided professional onsite guidance to participants along with Bai Gang, Deputy Director of the China Swimming Association's Referee Committee and Secretary-General of the Beijing Swimming Association.

Additionally, a cultural heritage experience area was set up outside the competition venue, offering international student representatives from more than 20 countries the opportunity to experience Chinese intangible cultural heritage.

Pablo from Spain, dressed in traditional Qin Dynasty (221-206BC) attire, said, "While enjoying the fun of sports competitions, I also get to appreciate the unique charm of traditional Chinese culture. "It's truly a wonderful cultural and sports journey," he added.