The 2024 Water Cube Youth Short Course Invitational kicks off at the National Aquatics Center, Beijing, China, Sept. 7, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The 2024 Water Cube Youth Short Course Invitational kicked off at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing on Sept. 7, furthering the venue's commitment to providing teenagers with a top-tier platform to showcase their talents.

The event, part of the dual-Olympic venue's youth swimming series, attracted nearly 2,000 participants from 59 swimming clubs and schools nationwide, offering them a chance to challenge themselves and gain valuable competitive experience.

The venue underwent extensive upgrades for the competition. Zhou Qing, a competition supervisor, said floating docks were installed to transform the 50-meter Olympic pool into a 25-meter short course pool meeting international standards for the short course competition.

The Beijing Swimming Association provided a team of experienced referees to ensure the event's integrity and professionalism. Chief referee Zhao Tong said the 65-member officiating team included two international referees and 14 national-level referees.

Athletes compete at the 2024 Water Cube Youth Short Course Invitational held at the National Aquatics Center, Beijing, China, Sept. 7, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The National Aquatics Center, with its modern facilities and experienced staff, continues to play a crucial role in promoting swimming among Chinese youth.

Since the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics, the National Aquatics Center has used its facilities and expertise to create a platform for youth swimming programs, significantly contributing to the development of public sports.

Mi Wenjun, head coach of the Water Cube Swimming Club, said the club has established specialized training programs for various age groups, ensuring tailored support for young athletes at every stage of their development.

Coaches at other clubs shared similar goals. Zhang Bo, founder and head coach of Firepower Swimming Club, emphasized the importance of adopting age-specific training programs while balancing skill development with injury prevention.

Wang Danna, a former top short course swimmer for Team China and team leader of Kun Aquatics Club, stressed that the club's mission extends beyond producing elite athletes; it's about fostering a lifelong love of swimming in children.

Athletes compete at the 2024 Water Cube Youth Short Course Invitational held at the National Aquatics Center, Beijing, China, Sept. 7, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

China's swimmers excelled at the recent Paris Olympics, winning 12 medals and breaking a world record, inspiring a new generation of young athletes nationwide to pursue their Olympic dreams.

Ma Jingyi, 9, from the Water Cube Swimming Club, competed in three events at this invitational, including the 50-meter butterfly and the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyles.

"This competition gave me a chance to improve my personal best and see how much others have progressed," Ma said.

The 2024 Water Cube Teenager Short Course Swimming Invitational provides a high-level platform for young athletes and a crucial foundation for the future of Chinese swimming.

Looking ahead, the National Aquatics Center will continue to support the development of China's sports industry, offering more opportunities for young athletes to refine their skills and contribute to the country's competitive success.