Athletes at a running competition during the Wanda Diamond League. YE XINXIANG/FOR CHINA DAILY

On Friday, the Wanda Diamond League kicked off its first meeting of the season at the Egret Sports Stadium in Xiamen, Fujian province, with world record holders, Olympic gold medallists and world champions participating. As the opening battle of the new season, the competition will set the tone for the coming year.

The World Athletics Diamond League, launched by World Athletics in 2010, is the highest-level one-day international athletics event and one of the most prestigious and influential athletics series globally. This term is a record-breaking one as Swedish vaulter Mondo Duplantis took the men's pole vault world record to new heights.

In terms of Chinese track and field stars, Olympic champion Gong Lijiao, and the World Championship champion Feng Bin as well as Zhu Yaming, Huang Bokai, Wu Yanni and others participated. The women's shot put, one of China's track and field strengths, made its first appearance at the Xiamen leg.

Wang Nan, deputy head of the Chinese Athletics Association, said at a news conference that the hosting of the Wanda Diamond League in Xiamen shows China's ability to host high-level athletics events. The event has provided a stage for Chinese athletes to showcase their abilities. This has played an important role in promoting the popularization and development of athletics in China.

"We expect the 2024 session to provide a new outlook for global audiences, as well as present a world-class athletics gala for global media and sports enthusiasts," Wang said.

Chen Lan, deputy head of the Xiamen sports bureau, said: "In recent years, Xiamen has promoted the development of sports events and the sports industry, driving the expansion of the sports industry's scale through hosting various sports events. We believe that the hosting of such an event will improve sports awareness, while benefiting Xiamen residents in establishing a healthy and active lifestyle."

From April 20 to May 7, the city's Siming district will host a series of beach activities, including creative markets, sports experiences, camping and concerts. They will integrate sports, food and beverages, as well as cultural experiences, to enhance the participation and commercial value of local sports events. The supporting activities also aim to boost cultural and sports consumption for residents and tourists.

Xiamen will host a Challenge tournament, its first Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour event from Thursday to Sunday, with 115 beach volleyball teams from 35 countries and regions competing. As an A-level event of the International Volleyball Federation (or FIVB), the total prize can reach $200,000.

The four-day event is divided into qualification rounds, main rounds, group matches, elimination rounds and finals. Around 300 athletes, referees and personnel from the FIVB and the Chinese Volleyball Association are coming to Xiamen for that. There will be 61 men's teams and 54 women's teams.

Due to the competition's high level and status as a point-earning event for the 2024 Paris Olympics, multiple beach volleyball teams from around the world are preparing for the tournament.

Athletes of the Wanda Diamond League at a cultural experience event in Xiamen. ZHENG LIJIN/FOR CHINA DAILY