Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics: China unveils physical fitness and exercise overhaul for schools ahead of games

Proposed changes to China’s National Sports Law will be a major shakeup for physical education in the country’s schools

President Xi has repeatedly stressed the need to improve physical fitness in China amid rising obesity rates

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China plans a major shake-up of physical education in schools and its sporting laws: Getty Images

Published: 8:15pm, 20 Oct 2021Updated: 9:01pm, 20 Oct 2021

China is proposing schools run mandatory gym classes and for children to have at least one hour of sports every day, under changes to sports legislation as the county fights rising rates of obesity.

Revisions to The National Sports Law, which are being reviewed by the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislative body, this week in Beijing, call for a national “exercise strategy”, requires schools to have available gym classes and designates August 8 as a National Sports Day, according to the NPC website.

The law was first implemented in 1995 and underwent minor revisions in 2009 and 2016. The current proposed changes are substantial, with 55 additions.

Children receive gymnastics training during their summer holiday in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. Photo: Getty

NPC member He Yiting said the revisions are to prepare the country for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, as there are commercial events and public activities that need legal supervision, Xinhua News Agency reported.

“The practice and reform of sports needs the promotion and protection of the law,” he said.

“The rights and obligations of various sports subjects need to be further clarified by the law, and the conflict between the sports law and other laws needs to be resolved urgently.”