This August 8 marked the Ninth National Fitness Day, when various activities were held, while many sporting facilities were opened to the public free of charge. In addition, physical checkups and sports lectures were also provided to the public.

Recent years have witnessed the public's increasingly rising passion for sports and fitness activities, particularly among middle-aged and elderly people. By the end of 2016, China had 230 million people above the age of 60. Moreover, the nation has a burgeoning elderly population, which implies that more and more middle-aged and elderly people will participate in sports activities. The question now is, whether there are enough sports and fitness facilities available for these people. Currently, conflict is rising because of limited venues and the increasing number of participants.

Not only do old communities widely lack fitness facilities, but newly constructed residential communities are also found short of such facilities. As for cities' landscape, the familiar picture features crowded buildings divided by web-like streets and roads. There is little room left for residents to engage in sports.

In the long run, urban layouts should include more parks and playgrounds, and existing venues should also be made better use of. The National Fitness Day actually stresses the importance of paying more attention to facilities for the public's daily life.

(This is an edited excerpt of an article published in Xinhua Daily Telegraph August 8)