The horn sounded on the first match day of the 13th National Games, and the athletes fought bravely, diving and weightlifting staged world-class competitions. However, different from the past, this National Games has cancelled the gold medal points and medal list for the first time, and the single evaluation system of the National Games that has been adhered to for many years is changing.
The five gold medals decided on the day of rowing were all from the "inter-provincial team". Break down regional barriers and encourage "strong cooperation" so that different sports teams are both competitors and cooperators. This has reduced the "off-court tricks" of intrigue to a certain extent, and also made the National Games more exciting and suspenseful.
For the 58-year National Games, the cancellation of medal list is a rectification of the "performance project" of local sports departments, and also an exploration of returning to sports from "gold medal first". In the past, all kinds of controversies and negative news caused by the "gold medal theory" not only damaged the image of the National Games, but also seriously affected the healthy development of competitive sports. Withdrawing the medal list from the stage of the National Games is a call for pure sportsmanship. Without the pressure of ranking results, both provincial and municipal delegations and individual athletes can unload their psychological burdens and strive to realize their dreams.
Some people may say that the cancellation of the medal list is just a formality, and delegations will still count the gold medals and rankings privately. However, any reform will not happen overnight. It is only the beginning to eradicate the ideological root of "gold medal first" and cancel the medal list of large-scale competitions. Only by further innovating the evaluation system and talent training mode of sports work and realizing the strategic transformation of sports can we gradually get rid of "digital worship".
Behind the cancellation of the medal list in this National Games, there are eight reform and innovation measures in full support. From thousands of sports fans to the National Games, and then to opening the door to amateur athletes and overseas Chinese athletes for the first time, the National Games is jumping out of the closed "small circle" and moving towards the "big world", truly becoming a sports feast for the people of the whole country to actively participate in and share the results.
Of course, canceling the medal list and diluting the awareness of gold medals does not mean that you don't want gold medals or ignore them. The core of competitive sports lies in the pursuit of Excellence and self-breakthrough, and winning is the eternal goal. The gold medal contains spiritual energy and sense of honor such as tenacious struggle, hard training and winning glory for the country, which is still worthy of unremitting pursuit by every sportsman. The reform points to opposing the unscrupulous and utilitarian gold medal view. The competition on the field is endless. As long as you try your best to meet your opponent and challenge yourself, success or failure is at stake.
From attaching importance to medals to the enjoyment of the whole people, this National Games has a brand-new connotation, and it is also a test of deepening reform in the field of sports. The National Games, which cancelled the medal list, showed a new look and big pattern of sports in China, and will get more attention and praise.