Look inside China’s secretive Olympic training camps

Summary

In August, the world gathers for the 31st Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro. Amidst the global competition, the People's Republic of China aims to top the medal table with a strategic focus on their strengths. The Chinese government invests heavily in Olympic training, with 51,000 athletes at elite institutes and 400,000 children in local Olympic schools. Despite criticism of the intense training as child abuse, coaches argue the program offers superior education and opportunities. The potential reward for gold medalists includes a prestigious government job and a substantial cash prize, illustrating the high stakes and dedication in China's pursuit of Olympic glory.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The 31st Olympic Games are held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, showcasing global athletic competition.
• 🏅 China is aiming to top the medal table, focusing on events where they have a competitive edge.
• 🤸‍♂️ Trampoline is one of the sports where China has high hopes, with Ga Le being a potential gold medalist.
• 🏫 China operates a vast sports training program, with 51,000 athletes training at elite institutes and 400,000 children in local Olympic schools.
• 👶 Recruitment for Olympic training begins at a young age, with children as young as six being tested for potential.
• 🔍 The recruitment process involves testing children's physical attributes such as height, weight, muscle mass, and posture.
• 🏋️‍♀️ Intensive training is a part of the program, with some critics arguing it borders on child abuse.
• 🏆 Coaches counter that the training provides better education and opportunities compared to regular schooling.
• 💰 Successful athletes, especially gold medal winners, are rewarded with high-ranking government jobs and substantial prize money.
• 💸 The Chinese government invests heavily in Olympic training infrastructure, spending over $1 billion in 2013 alone.

Q & A

What major event is taking place in Rio De Janeiro in August?

The 31st Olympic Games are taking place in Rio De Janeiro in August.

What is the main focus of the Chinese athletes in the Olympics?

The Chinese athletes focus on events that play to their strengths, with a ruthless strategy to top the medal table.

How many athletes are currently training at Elite National and Regional institutes in China according to the script?

51,000 athletes are currently training at Elite National and Regional institutes in China.

What is the age at which children are recruited for intensive training at the training school south of Beijing?

Children at the training school south of Beijing are recruited from the age of 6.

How long has Jin Weni been in intensive training according to the script?

Jin Weni has been in intensive training for 3 years.

What is the role of recruiters like Shen Chen in the Olympic training program?

Recruiters like Shen Chen visit hundreds of towns and villages, testing thousands of small children against specific physiological criteria for potential athletic talent.

What kind of criteria are the children tested against during the recruitment process?

The children are tested against a host of specific physiological criteria including height, weight, muscle mass, and posture.

How much money did China invest into the national Olympic Training infrastructure in 2013?

China invested more than $1 billion into the national Olympic Training infrastructure in 2013.

What are the critics' views on the intensive training programs described in the script?

Critics say that intensive training programs like these are tantamount to child abuse.

What kind of rewards do gold medal winners usually receive in China?

Gold medal winners are usually offered a high-ranking government job and receive around $200,000 in prize money.

What is the script's implication about the chances of children making it to the Olympics?

The script implies that the chances of these children making it to the Olympics are statistically very small.