Young swimmers compete during the 2025 World Aquatics China Swim Day at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing, Sept. 26, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Beijing hosted the 2025 World Aquatics China Swim Day on Sept. 26 at the National Aquatics Center, known as the Water Cube, promoting swimming participation and fitness culture under the theme "Swim for Health and Fun."

World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam attended the event, praising China's dedicated efforts in promoting swimming. He stated that these initiatives embody the sport's core values of health, safety and joy. He further cited Beijing's selection as the host city for the 2026 World Aquatics Short-Course Swimming Championships and the 2029 World Aquatics Championships as evidence of China's commitment to aquatic sports.

The event featured a youth swimming competition in the Olympic Competition Hall, drawing more than 700 young athletes from various Beijing district-level sports schools. Competitors raced in 50-meter, 100-meter and 200-meter freestyle events, as well as other stroke categories.

Olympic champion Zhang Yufei speaks at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing during the 2025 World Aquatics China Swim Day, Sept. 26, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Olympic champion Zhang Yufei also attended the event and encouraged participants to embrace swimming as a healthy lifestyle choice. Zhang, who won gold in the women's 200-meter butterfly, shared that watching the event at the very same venue during the 2008 Beijing Olympics inspired her career. She urged young swimmers to embrace the joy of the sport.

The Beijing event underscores China's expanding collaboration with World Aquatics as the country continues to prioritize public health through swimming programs and fitness initiatives.