In February, athletes from around the world will have a chance to learn about traditional Chinese culture up-close. The Olympic Village has dedicated an area to the history and legacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM. Li Jianhua has more.
It’s about a month away from the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. By then, the Olympic village will be hustling and bustling with over 2,000 athletes and team officials from across the world.
One exhibition booth is likely to pique the interest of many athletes.
Chinese elements, featuring the Eight Diagrams and 28 constellations, are on display. Interactive screens teach the history of TCM and how Chinese herbal medicine works.
PROFESSOR WANG LEPENG Beijing University of Chinese Medicine “We’d like to provide wisdom and tips of Traditional Chinese Medicine to international athletes, to help them maintain good performance both physically and mentally. For example, we have a lot of self-massage skills or food as medicine for international visitors and athletes.”
Acupuncture and martial arts are also all on display to help international athletes better understand TCM.
After visiting the TCM experience center, I came to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine to find out how traditional Chinese medicine may help athletes.
Professor Wang says acupuncture and massage are some of the most popular treatments, especially for insomnia induced by jet lag.
PROFESSOR WANG LEPENG Beijing University of Chinese Medicine “So for many problems, like anxiety, depression and insomnia, this is a good choice.”
LI JIANHUA Beijing “I’ve never done acupuncture before, absolutely my first time. It’s a bit sore, but not as painful as I thought. I hope it could help lessen anxiety.”
Apart from acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine promotes the idea of “food as medicine.” namely, using herbs to treat miscellaneous ailments.
XU ANLONG President, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine “The key to believing in the Chinese medicine is to experience it yourself. If you have any doubt about it, go to a nearby Chinese medicine practitioner clinic. If this can solve your problem, it means it must have fundamental value and also scientific basis to have such medical benefit.”
Traditional Chinese medicine is said to have a history of about five thousand years. Xu says it is getting more popular and recognized worldwide.
LI JIANHUA Beijing “In 1996, China introduced the concept of ‘internationalizing TCM,’ seeking to expand and maintain the sustainable development of the traditional Chinese medicine abroad. Over the past decades, it has witnessed some growth overseas. The Beijing Winter Olympics are expected to serve as another platform for its promotion. LJH, CGTN, BEIJING.”