Lucheng in Motion: Pursuing Dreams on the Sports Field – The 16th Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Games Opens

On the evening of August 8, the 16th Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Games opened in Baotou. Wang Weizhong, Secretary of the Party Committee of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Director of the Standing Committee of the Inner Mongolia Regional People's Congress, attended the ceremony and declared the Games open.

Bao Gang, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Chairman of the Inner Mongolia Regional People's Government, delivered the opening address. Zhang Yankun, Chairman of the Inner Mongolia Regional Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Bao Xianhua, Member of the Standing Committee of the Regional Party Committee and Director of the Publicity Department, were present. Chen Zhichang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Regional Party Committee and Secretary of the Baotou Municipal Party Committee, delivered the welcome speech. Regional leaders Yu Lixin and Dai Qin attended the event, and Su He presided over the ceremony.

Opening Performance

Photo by Wu Rina

Opening Performance

Photo by Wu Rina

At 20:00 the same day, the opening ceremony officially kicked off. The Five-Star Red Flag, the flag of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Games, and the flag of the 16th Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Games entered the venue in sequence. This was followed by the procession of referees and delegations from all 12 leagues and cities. After all delegations took their positions, all attendees rose and sang the national anthem.

Delegations March into the Venue

Photo by Wang Lei

Delegations March into the Venue 

Photo by Wu Rina

Cheering Audience

Photo by Wu Rina

Flag Procession

Photo by Wu Rina

All Stand and Sing the National Anthem of the People's Republic of China 

Photo by Wu Rina

Wang Weizhong declared: "The 16th Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Games are officially open!" Brilliant fireworks lit up the night sky, met with thunderous applause and cheers across the stadium.

Fireworks Display

Photo by Wu Rina

Accompanied by the official anthem of the 16th Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Games, the flag of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Games and the flag of the 16th Games were slowly hoisted. Representatives of the athletes and referees took their respective oaths.

Athlete Representative Takes the Oath

Photo by Wu Rina

The opening ceremony featured a cultural and sports performance divided into three sections: "The Long River Reflects Ancient and Modern Eras," "The Red Legacy Illuminates the Journey," and "United We Paint a New Chapter."

Live Audience Interaction with the Large Screen

Photo by Wu Rina

Amid widespread anticipation, the main torch-lighting ceremony began. Four torchbearers, Hao Zhensheng, Wang Nan, Zheng Guiyou, and Li Qian, completed the torch relay. As the main torch was ignited, splendid fireworks soared into the sky.

Torch Relay

Photo by Wu Rina

The Main Torch Burns Brightly

Photo by Wu Rina

Dance Performance

Photo by Wang Lei

Cultural Performance

Photo by Wang Lei

Balance Bike Performance 

Photo by Wu Rina

Closing Moments of the Opening Ceremony

Photo by Wu Rina

The Games consist of two categories: the Competitive Group and the Mass Sports Group, covering 37 major events and 860 minor events. The competitions include youth elite sports and mass fitness activities, attracting over 12,000 participating athletes. (By Wu Rina)