Even though China finished second overall in the medal table, it doesn't mean it is a big sporting nation. The ready availability of sports facilities in schools and the inclusion of all kinds of sports for the masses are far more significant.
Way back many centuries ago when I was a younger lad living in a Vancouver suburb, we had the luxury of what was called spare lots - undeveloped subdivision land here and there throughout the neighbourhood.
All that was then further required was four odd sticks of wood to mark the goalposts and someone with roughly the right kind of ball. Presto, a football field and evening football matches that lasted until sundown or until killjoy parents came round to make unwelcome noises about school homework still undone.