15th National Games’ cross-region cycling race adds new connectivity in Greater Bay Area

The Men’s Individual Road Cycling Race of China’s 15th National Games opened Saturday, marking a historic milestone as the first cross-region event in the games’ history that spans across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, showing strong connectivity in south China’s Greater Bay Area.

The 231.8-kilometer race set off from the Zhuhai Museum, taking 103 cyclists across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge. They entered Hong Kong and Macao through seamless customs clearance at a speed of 40 kilometers per hour. After more than five hours on the road, all riders successfully crossed the finish line.

As riders crossed three regions on a groundbreaking route, the race became more than a competition; it stood as a powerful symbol of connection in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

“After we complete our work in Macao, we will hand it over to the Zhuhai section. Our mainland colleagues will continue to be responsible for medical and road-clearing work. This time, we can achieve seamless connectivity and no interruption in between,” said Addy Chan Kuai Son, a volunteer for the 15th National Games.

“I was incredibly excited to be here today to watch the National Games road cycling race. This is a race spanning three regions for the first time in National Games history. As a dweller in the Greater Bay Area, I feel extremely proud and honored. When the athletes competed across three regions, I felt a strong sense of unity and a close bond within the Greater Bay Area,” said Li Yunshan, a student of Macao University of Science and Technology.

The 15th National Games will officially open on Sunday across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, marking the first time for the three regions to co-host the country’s premier multi-sport event.

The National Games, held every four years, are China’s highest-level and largest national multi-sports event. The last edition in 2021 saw over 12,000 athletes compete in the northwestern province of Shaanxi.

Private companies have been supporting China’s 15th National Games, introducing innovative solutions aimed at ensuring a green, entertaining and athlete-friendly event.

At an exhibition dedicated to the Games’ zero-carbon initiatives, numerous supporting companies showcased a range of innovations.

Among the highlights was a hydrogen-powered robotic dog that demonstrated its inspection and monitoring capabilities for the Games.

“It is equipped with a camera in the front that can transmit data to our Internet of Things in real time. The main principle is that its only byproduct is water, making it highly environmentally friendly. Our hydrogen energy also aligns perfectly with the zero-carbon technology concept of the 15th National Games,” said a representative from the robotic dog company.

Hydrogen energy is also utilized to secure the power supply for the competition venues. The country’s first hydrogen emergency power vehicle, utilizing solid-state hydrogen storage technology, has been deployed to provide stable and clean energy support for the grand event.

A mobile gaming company is boosting excitement for the Games by bringing experiences inspired by real events onto users’ phones.

“Our game takes place in the scenarios of the events of the 15th National Games, such as football and rowing,” said a representative from the gaming company.

Traditional Chinese medicine has also been incorporated into the event, helping athletes maintain peak performance.

“Our pain-relieving oil, recognized as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage product, is crafted from 86 different Chinese medicinal herbs. It can be used for warming up and stretching before competitions and help athletes with post-competition stretching and recovery,” said a representative from the pain-relieving oil company.

The 15th National Games will officially open Sunday across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area city cluster in south China, marking the first time for the three regions to co-host the country’s premier multi-sport event.

It features 34 sports with 419 events in the competitive program and 23 sports with 166 events in the mass participation program. More than 20,000 athletes are set to compete in the final phase.