Dragon Boating is now an Olympic Sport
Hong Kong High Commission and Vancouver Dragon Boat got together to jointly create principles for the sports events. This decision was taken for cultural festivals of dragon dance and dragon race at the XIV Commonwealth Games in 1995. It also signified Hong Kong’s repatriation to Chinese rule.
China had a golden chance to promote this sport in the best manners in Beijing summer games in 2008. Chinese martial art was the main focus at this Olympic. All aspects of dragon boat racing were also demonstrated in a couple of considerable ways. Before that dragon boat racing was officially demonstrated ten years back at the Atlanta games in 1996. In the Hong Kong games, one of the Olympic torches was transported by dragon boat, similarly featured with artistic paddles; a stylish and tall dragon boat was presented in the opening ceremony. In all major sports events like Asian Games, Asian Beach Games and the South Asian Games; Olympic Council of Asia has recognized this game and assistance is provided to Asian Dragon Boat Federation.
About 20 million people in China are participating in dragon boat cultural and racing events. The numbers are increasing because of its cultural importance in China. This sport has been rapidly flourishing over the past 30 years. It became more famous after the establishment of International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) and its regional Federations for the America, Europe and Asia in the early 1990s. Since the formation of dragon boat racing rules, this sport has been formally played in all parts of the world. Dragon Sports special events and its addition in other regional level games signify it popularity and recognition among nations.
The Hong Kong Tourism Bureau played a very important role by sending dragon boat ambassadors to the countries all over the world. In 1976 this association placed dragon boat racing in modern era by organising the first international dragon boat race. Later in 1980, three dragon boats were especially designed to present in the Chinese Festival conducted on the River Thames. In the same year two HK Style dragon boats were presented in Germany. In 1986, six dragon boats were sent to Vancouver, Canada, for Expo.
Now dragon boat is frequently used in sports and cultural festivals in over 60 countries. A number of organizations and associations/clubs are fully active at regional, national, and local levels. They are encouraging dragon boat racing at grassroots level. More than 62 associations and clubs working officially had got membership of IDBF till 8 Jan, 2009. Dragon boating is recognised for the friendship, power and patience cultivated among partakers. Dragon boating is nowadays a very famous, corporate and charitable sport. One Important decision was taken by IDBF to organize World Nations Dragon Boat Racing Championships among nationwide teams on every two years since 1995. Club Crew World Championships were also held among the world's crest club-based squads in between world championship years.
IDBF introduced a Corporate and Community World Championships in 2005. This championship was started especially for crews that usually participate in festival races. Unlike elite international standards for serious contestants, this contest is based on ‘weekend warrior' type sports rules. In Singapore, the first World Championships for Breast Cancer Survivors was organised in 2006. This initiative was taken by IDBF with a name of 'Pink Paddlers' in support of breast cancer survivors. The second BCS World Championships was held in Miami, Florida, in July 2009. Club Crew World Championships was took place at the Toronto beaches in 2006. Spectators from North America and from all over the world enjoyed watching dragon boat racing competitions on Toronto's beautiful coasts. Over 2000 contestants took part in this festival, which generated more than two million dollars for the local economy.
Tags: