Wuhan returns to normal life by hosting first sports event since COVID-19 outbreak

As an amateur high level table tennis player, Zhou Hansheng has won many table tennis titles. But the 64-year-old just participated in his most unforgettable tournament, the "Salute to Heroes," which was held in Wuhan last week.

The 234 participants of the tournament included medical staff, serviceman, policemen, community workers, delivery men, volunteers, engineers, and construction workers, but they shared one name: the Heroes. The tournament is called "Salute to Heroes" and all the players are citizens who had fought bravely in the battle against the coronavirus in recent months.

Photo taken on Feb. 11, 2020 shows the interior of a temporary hospital converted from Wuhan International Expo Center in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. Converted from Wuhan International Expo Center and Wuhan Gymnasium, the two temporary hospitals will admit patients infected with the novel coronavirus. The fundamental facilities have been set up. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

It was the city's first sports event since the COVID-19 outbreak in January. Wuhan, once the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, has seen its urban life gradually return to normal.

"I signed up as soon as I learned about the event," Zhou said.

The tournament was held in Wuhan Gymnasium, which was once converted into a mobile hospital in February and admitted more than 300 COVID-19 patients.

"We have carried out several rounds of thorough disinfection," Xu Yibin, director of the gymnasium said.

Patients do exercises led by medical staff at a temporary hospital converted from "Wuhan Livingroom" in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 10, 2020. In face of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic, Wuhan authorities have transformed public venues such as exhibition centers and gymnasiums into temporary hospitals. The hospitals have a large capacity of treating patients with mild symptoms and play an important role in isolating the source of infection and cutting off the routes of infection during epidemic prevention. The first batch of patients was hospitalized on Feb. 5. (Xinhua/Xiong Qi)

"On June 15, we reopened to the public. At present, the number of citizens entering the venue is still fewer than before, but I believe it will gradually increase."

At the moment, more than 70 percent of Wuhan's outdoor sports venues are opened to the public. The number of entries to outdoor venues are 80 percent of the number in 2019, according to statistics from the Administration of Sports of Wuhan.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)