Niche sports like surfing are gaining popularity and becoming new favorites for entertainment and fitness in China, as the Paris Olympic Games is heating up people's enthusiasm for sports.
Surfing lovers in Beijing are discovering a new space for indulging themselves this summer to avoid getting baked in the sun.
Driven by the Paris 2024, indoor surfing is coming into vogue nowadays, which enables city dwellers to have fun in "sea waves" without going to seaside. Coaches will lead green hands to discover the delights in surfing.
"Surfing parks are rare in downtown areas, and almost all are on seaside. And, it might be bothersome for us to go to the seaside to experience sea waves," said Hao Jie, manager of a surf park.
Hao said this is an Olympic effect, but it will need more time to flourish fully.
"Since being included as an Olympic sport in 2020, surfing has been gaining popularity. The Paris Olympics has attracted more Chinese people with Yang Siqi becoming the nation's first female surfer to compete at the Games. I hope more people would jump into the waves to join her," he said.
Apart from indoor surfing, rock-climbing and archery are also becoming new favorites for niche sports enthusiasts in China. Data from JD.com e-commerce platform show that in the first half of 2024, purchases of surfing swim wear in China jumped 473 percent year-on-year, and that of rock-climbing helmets, up 42 percent.
"It's no challenge for me if it is a sport that everyone can handle. Niche sports are more adventurous and I'd like to try them," said Liu Yuxuan, a niche sports enthusiast.
"As a young people, I prefer exciting sports like skiing," said Dong Chengzhe, another enthusiast.
Boosted by massive sporting events such as the Olympic Games, it is believed that niche sports have started gaining ground in China and will bring more vitality to the country's sports consumption market.
Olympic fever boosts niche sports in China
Gaza's healthcare system is on the brink of collapse, as Israel continues its attacks and blocks the entry of humanitarian aid, with hospitals overwhelmed by a relentless influx of wounded civilians and many patients left untreated.
The situation in Gaza's hospitals is rapidly deteriorating into a catastrophe. Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital has become the primary center for hundreds of injured Palestinians in Gaza City, with every corner of the facility overwhelmed. Medical workers at the hospital have expressed their inability to cope with the growing number of patients flooding in from the daily Israeli strikes.
"Each airstrike on high-rise buildings or residential areas leaves hundreds of casualties. No hospital in Gaza can handle such numbers," said Tamer Sultan, a medical worker.
Amid the conflict, not only trauma patients but also chronically ill individuals are unable to access basic medical treatment. Medical workers warn that lives are being lost -- not just to bombs, but to the lack of essential care.
"My brother has been here for 20 days. He needs spinal surgery, but nothing has happened. He's in constant pain as the painkillers aren't working anymore," said Mahmoud Nasser, brother of a patient.
As the number of wounded continues to rise, Gaza's hospitals are running critically low on essential medicines and supplies. With no way to restock, health officials say the ability to treat even the most urgent cases is slipping away.
"The high number of injuries has led to massive consumption of medicines and supplies. With border crossings closed, we can't replenish stock, and this severe shortage means we can't properly treat patients and the wounded," said Alaa Helles, director of the Hospital Pharmacy Department at Gaza's Ministry of Health.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has issued a stark alert about the health crisis in Gaza, stating that the suspension of humanitarian aid has led to a dramatic shortage of medical supplies.
Gaza's healthcare system near collapse as Israeli attacks, aid blockade persist
