“We have become the first country in the world to have such tracks! I believe [Chinese athletes] will outperform other countries’ [athletes] after scientific training on such a running track!”

China National Radio described the forestry administration stadium in Tonghe county, in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang, as having “rectangular tracks” around the football pitch.

“It is difficult to turn and easy to fall,” local resident Gong Xiaona told provincial television programme .

It quoted a member of staff at the stadium as saying the previous track had become worn down by long use.

“The current tracks were laid in a rush to deal with the visit by some provincial leaders,” he said.

“We ourselves feel it’s ugly. But who can change it if our bosses don’t care?”

It is not unknown for local officials in China to come up with eccentric ideas to curry favour with their bosses or cope with inspections.

A publicly-funded orphanage in Jieyang in the southern province of Guangdong had its facilities transformed into government offices and dormitories, according to previous state media reports.

When provincial authorities mounted an inspection last year, social welfare officials attempted to borrow orphans from a nearby temple.