On December 27, the "Run, Youth!" 2025 Sichuan Provincial Youth Freestyle BMX Educational Program concluded successfully at the Southwest Cycling Sports Center. Organized by the Sichuan Water Sports Management Center and co-hosted by multiple institutions, the event attracted 150 young participants from across the province to immerse themselves in the allure of sports and sow the seeds of youthful aspirations.

As the first professional facility in Southwest China compliant with Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) standards, the Southwest Cycling Sports Center represents a total investment of approximately RMB 240 million. Equipped with a multi-purpose arena, an Olympic-standard freestyle BMX venue, outdoor training grounds, and event broadcasting infrastructure, the center has served as a core hub for elite competitions and professional training since its inauguration in August 2025. Now, this "dream launchpad" is open to youth, offering them access to the same training environment used by Olympic champions.

The program featured a tightly scheduled yet rich itinerary. In the morning, participants explored the venue, learned about the technological aspects behind track design, and observed team training sessions up close from designated safety zones. Coaches explained competitive cycling concepts using accessible language.

The afternoon session, titled "First Steps on Wheels", elevated the atmosphere through an interactive experience structured around four dimensions: "equipment awareness, safety training, competition education, and pathway guidance", creating a systematic platform for sports initiation. The head coach disassembled a BMX bike on-site, detailing components such as the frame, wheelset, and brakes. Participants asked enthusiastic questions, building scientific understanding through hands-on interaction. The safety segment demonstrated proper use of helmets, knee pads, and other protective gear, emphasizing the ironclad rule: "No protective gear, no riding." "I never realized every detail of protective equipment matters so much. From now on, I'll definitely follow the rules when learning to ride," said 12-year-old Lin Xinyi earnestly. Coaches also used vivid analogies to explain protective principles and proper riding posture, deeply instilling safety awareness.

During the sharing session, coaches illustrated the complete pathway from youth competitions to the Olympic Games through visual presentations, explaining rules and scoring criteria while recounting inspiring stories and standout achievements of athletes from Sichuan. They conveyed the champion's ethos—"excellence stems from daily dedication, and growth arises from persistence"—to guide aspiring young riders.

This educational program embodies the Sichuan Water Sports Management Center's strategy of "advancing both aquatic and land-based sports for diversified development." It not only expands the talent pipeline for cycling but also reflects the integration of sports and education. As children touched Olympic-standard tracks and looked up at athletes soaring through the air, seeds of passion and perseverance were already planted. Moving forward, the center will continue leveraging its world-class facilities and systematic training programs to empower more young people to pursue bright futures.

【本文部分内容由AI辅助生成，特此声明。The author(s) generated part of the content in this work with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), which is hereby declared.】