The Chinese acrobatic circle is swinging into action, rehearsing new jaw-dropping and innovative programmes as they gear up to wow crowds at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Last week, major acrobatic troupes from north China brought their novel acrobatic programmes to Beijing and tried out impressive feats in a three-day joint performance at China Pingju Opera Theater.

"Different from any other acrobatic contests, the show just provided an internal exchange platform for Chinese acrobatic artists to explore more innovations to the old art," said Fu Qifeng, a veteran acrobatic researcher with the Chinese Acrobats' Association and a member of the appraisal committee.

Now it is the fashion to introduce new props and other forms of arts in acrobatics. The diabolo players acting as huadan (female roles) in Peking Opera and adding a springing net for the pole climbing players impress the appraisal committee very much.

According to Fu, acrobatics actually took root in folk sports, and many programmes embody the deep history and long tradition of Chinese folk sports.

Diabolo is just such a good combination of acrobatics and sports. Around the Spring Festival, playing diabolo is very popular in north China, and the game can make people warm and limber up their muscles and joints during winter.

According to Fu, now the Chinese Acrobats' Association and Beijing Diabolo Association are preparing to organize a diabolo team of 1,000 people to perform during the Olympic Games.

"Within the next three years, we are planning to select more acrobatic programmes originating from folk sports, and we took the Olympic Games as a chance to make more people know about Chinese acrobatics and folk sports," she said.

(China Daily December 9, 2005)