CRI听力:President Xi's IOC trip to highlight sports diplomacy: expert

As part of Chinese president Xi Jinping's time in Switzerland, he is set to hold talks with International Olympic Committee officials and tour the Olympic Museum.

IOC president Thomas Bach says the IOC committee is looking forward to the upcoming visit.

"I think that we have set a great stage for President Xi Jinping. Therefore, we can on the one hand have our bilateral talks and then also on the other hand present to him the Olympic Museum and show him which important role China is playing in the Olympic movement."

Since taking office in 2013, Bach has committed himself to deepening reforms within the Olympic movement. The 2014 launch of Olympic Agenda 2020 offered a strategic roadmap in safeguarding the uniqueness of the Olympic Games and strengthening sport in society.

An Olympic expert at Beijing Sport University, Ren Hai, says China has been playing a positive role in support the Agenda's implementation.

As China is going to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, the country also needs help from the IOC.

"We have successfully hosted the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, but China is not very familiar with the winter games. During the preparatory process, we need to consult and coordinate with the IOC on many of the details or projects, such as snowmobiles and sleighs. Also, the country's obesity rate is very high, and many young people are in poor physical condition. By publicizing the Olympic spirit and winter games in the country, we hope to encourage people to take up a healthy lifestyle."

Olympic competitions are currently frustrated by problems including doping, match-fixing, and illegal gambling. The sustainable utilization of Olympic venues and facilities is another issue in the limelight.

Ren Hai says that during President Xi's visit, both sides will seek closer cooperation in responding to such obstacles.

He also highlights the importance of sports diplomacy.

"Sports diplomacy has a strong social affinity, as the sport itself has crossed the cultural, racial, political, economic, and religious barriers. Secondly, young people are the main body of sports, allowing this diplomacy to become a long-term one with an eye on the future. In addition, the present function of sports is not only limited in politics; it also includes social, economic, and educational functions. So, it is a multi-purpose diplomacy."

The sports industry in China is estimated to exceed 3 trillion yuan, or about 432 billion US dollars, by the year 2020.