TALENT CULTIVATION, SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND SOCIAL SERVICE: THE PLACE OF UNIVERSITY SPORT IN CHINA

Abstract

University sport in China has a long history, but until recently sport has not been a top priority of universities and has played just a supporting role in talent preparation. After the successful bid of Beijing for the 2008 Games, universities were more concerned about sport and changes took place in university sport. Firstly, a number of universities have established sports-related research centres and some have provided students with sport-related disciplines. Sport has won substantial academic recognition in many universities, which helps to raise the status of sport in educational institutions and to shift the emphasis in university sport from a talent-oriented function to the multiple functions of talent cultivation, scientific research and social service. In addition, the “Standards for Students’ Fitness and Health” was promulgated. New objectives which stress sports participation, character-building, skills-learning, health care and fitness are replacing the previous skill-centred physical education. For example, the compulsory contents of PE classes are substantially reduced, and optional activities with appeal to students are added. Students are given autonomy to choose sports activities and credits accumulation. PE courses, which are extended from 2 to 3 or 4 years in a number of universities, comprise both theory and practice. More extra-curricular sports opportunities are provided to students. Moreover, the Education Ministry instead of the State Sports Administration organized the Chinese delegates for the 2005 Universiade. This will have huge impact on university sport and more elite sports talents will be produced in universities. To this end, new regulations on recruiting, training and the management of athlete-students are established. While the Beijing Games is under preparation, sports in universities is playing an increasingly important part in promoting the Olympic spirit, popularising sports culture and advocating sportsmanship.