By outdoor-nature-child.com In a recent interview, local resident Yang Yuting shared her surprise at the significant attention her hometown of Ordos has received due to a national table tennis championship. Following the National Day holiday, Ordos saw an unprecedented traffic jam on the Erdos Bridge, and many out-of-town visitors discovered they needed to book hotel stays well in advance.
The 2024 National Table Tennis Championship, held at the Sports Development Center in Ordos, wrapped up on the evening of October 19. Over the course of nine days, 274 athletes from 28 provinces, regions, and municipalities showcased their skills in thrilling matches.
At just 23, Yang has been a table tennis enthusiast for years. She reminisced about the time when the national team visited her school in Yijinhuoluqi a decade ago, and she proudly displays photos of herself playing alongside renowned player Liu Shiwen. “Ten years later, Liu Shiwen is still shining on the court, and my passion for table tennis has never faded,” Yang reflected.
The championship has ignited local enthusiasm as well, with fans eager to see table tennis stars like Xu Xin, Fan Zhendong, Liu Shiwen, Lin Gaoyuan, and Zhou Kai in action. Some fans came equipped with binoculars and even upgraded to high-resolution smartphones for a better viewing experience. Young children cheered loudly for the athletes, eagerly shouting “Go! Go!” along with their parents.
According to preliminary statistics from the Ordos City Bureau of Culture and Tourism, the tournament attracted approximately 174,000 visitors and spectators, generating economic activity amounting to 470 million yuan. Many tourists expressed their enjoyment of the beautiful autumn scenery and cleanliness of the city, highlighting the unique parks and squares.
The tournament, referred to as a “table tennis flow,” has also helped to boost the visibility of Ordos’s city landmark, “Warm City.” Athletes and out-of-town visitors noted that whenever they mentioned “Warm City,” it quickly evoked the globally recognized slogan, “Ordos, warming the world.”
Liu Shiwen herself experienced the warmth of Ordos firsthand. During a press conference after claiming the mixed doubles championship title on October 15, she shared that she had struggled with altitude sickness prior to the competition. “I experienced nosebleeds for three days before the event, but thanks to the timely assistance from the local organizing committee and hospital, I feel much better now. I’m very grateful to ‘Warm City’ Ordos,” she said.
Fellow athletes Sun Wen, Wang Xiaotong, and He Zhuojia praised the hospitality of the local residents, appreciating the high-quality support provided in aspects such as dining, accommodation, and transportation.
In a statement by the local media center, they noted, “This championship not only brightened up our autumn but also opened a window to the world. Ordos has not only revealed itself but also embraced a superb opportunity for promotion.”
Liu Yufei, deputy director of the Ordos City Bureau of Culture and Tourism, emphasized that the “uplift effect” of hosting such an event would extend beyond the competition itself, leaving a lasting impact on the city’s cultural fabric and spirit.