With two days to go until the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Shanghai/Keqiao, athletes took time out to explore the locality on Thursday, visiting the outdoor functional fabric specialised area and the Anchang Ancient Town.
The region is famous for its production of fabric for the textile industry and the athletes who took part in the morning visit got to see up close how it’s made, learning the secrets behind its renowned quality.
Meanwhile in the afternoon, a second group visited Anchang Ancient Town, which dates back over a thousand years to the North Song Dynasty. The athletes were led through the town’s souvenir and food markets, taking in a Chinese opera show and they were offered the chance to try local cuisine and teas.
They also got to witness a traditional Chinese wedding and explore various features of the ancient town.
“It’s important to see something about the country,” said Dutch pole vaulter Menno Vloon, who spent the afternoon wearing a traditional hat gifted to him by locals. “Normally it’s flying in, sitting in the hotel room, having the competition and going home. When we’re here for a couple of days before, it makes it more fun (to explore). It’s cool here. It looks like your imagination of China and now we have more experience of things we didn’t know.”
US long jumpers Quanesha Burks and Monae’ Nichols savoured the experience and sampled various local delicacies, while also seizing their chance to dress up as Chinese opera singers, having earlier witnessed a performance of Romeo and Juliet.
“I’m 100% blown away,” said Nichols. “I’ve seen ancient buildings, a river wedding,Romeo and Juliet – it was beautiful. I want to cry in awe because I never knew I was going to be in China. I went to Nanjing [for the 2024 World Indoor Championships]but I didn’t go out and explore. That’s why I’m a little emotional to be coming back and to see the ancient architecture. Crossing over a bridge that is 900 years old, it was amazing. I’m just happy to experience that.”
Burks was also pleased she took the chance to sample the local culture. “As athletes, we can tend to stay in the hotel, focus on the competition, but there’s a whole world out there and we get to experience it,” she said. “One thing I’ve learned is to embrace different cultures when we travel. I made it my mission this time and the fact they gave us an opportunity to see more is amazing.”
Martina Weil, the Chilean who will race over 400m on Saturday night, is making her third visit to China, having previously competed at the World Indoors in Nanjing and at the Xiamen Diamond League.
She said it was “cool to see the history of it being several different kingdoms and them coming together”, adding that “the difference between here and Nanjing and Xiamen is wild.”
“We travel so much but often don’t get to see a lot, so it’s really fun to see a little bit and then put a pin with where I want to come back to, either in the off season or when I’m done with track.
“You get a little glimpse, but it makes you want to see more. This ancient town is insane – it’s just so original and the food is so interesting. I think China is just so cool.”