Comrade Mao Zedong was not only a great Marxist, an outstanding leader of the Chinese proletarian revolution, an outstanding politician, thinker and military strategist, but also an important founder and active practitioner of China's modern sports cause. "No matter how wind and waves blow, it is better than walking in the garden" - this heroic poem is not only a portrayal of his revolutionary optimism, but also a true epitome of his life's emphasis on sports and exercise. The "body is the capital of revolution" he proposed is not only a loud slogan, but also integrated into his life's practical philosophy.
September 9 is the 49th anniversary of the death of the great leader Comrade Mao Zedong. In order to deeply commemorate Comrade Mao Zedong's outstanding contribution to China's sports cause and inherit his sports idea of "developing sports and enhancing the physical fitness of the people", the Beijing Xiang Sports Museum planned and held the "Mao Zedong Sports Collection Exhibition".
This exhibition brings together more than a hundred precious cultural relics and historical materials related to Mao Zedong's sports thoughts and practices. Including the magazine "New Youth" which published Mao Zedong's paper on "Sports Research" in 1917, the 1939 Yan'an Model Youth Medal issued by Mao Zedong, the resolution of the 9th Congress of the Fourth Army of the Communist Party of China drafted by Mao Zedong, the old photos of Chairman Mao playing table tennis during the Yan'an period, the old photos of Mao Zedong's inscription on the Yan'an Sports Festival in 1941 "Exercise your body and fight Japan", the old photos of Chairman Mao's travels to the Yangtze River, the old photos of Chairman Mao's visit to China in 1953, Chairman Mao's reception of the Soviet delegation, the "Yuping Fitness Certificate" witnessing Mao Zedong's early organization of workers' movement, the story of Chairman Mao's physical exercise in his youth, and the old photos of Mao Zedong's attendance at the opening ceremony of the First National Games in 1959. The heroic spirit of a great man "no matter how wind and waves blow, it is better than walking in the garden".
In this regard, Li Xiang, director of Beijing Xiang Sports Museum, said that Mao Zedong's sports life is not only a history of self-hardening for individuals, but also a spiritual symbol of a nation's self-improvement towards self-improvement. From the strong voice of the times when I was young, "If you want to be civilized, you must first barbarize your body" to the pragmatic concept of "sports serve the revolution" in Yan'an, and to the promotion of the formation of a national strategy of "developing sports and enhancing the physical fitness of the people" after the founding of New China, Mao Zedong always regarded sports as an important way to revitalize the nation and strengthen the country. His sports thoughts and practices are historical witnesses of the Chinese nation moving from humiliation to self-improvement, from the "sick man of East Asia" to the "sports power" and constantly moving towards a goal of becoming a sports power.
Next to enjoy some of the collections in this exhibition.
New Youth Magazine
in 1917, published by Mao Zedong's paper on "Sports Research"
In the context of the introduction of "New Youth" in the Awakening Era, Chen Duxiu proposed six standards for contemporary Chinese new youth: autonomous rather than slaves; progressive rather than conservative; enterprising rather than retired; world rather than country-locking; real profit rather than false literature; scientific rather than imaginary. This statement was unanimously agreed on the spot, but the young Mao Zedong proposed that at least one should be added: strong rather than weak. He emphasized that "civilize one's spirit, barbarism, and keep one's mind and physical strength equally. Everything in the world will be accomplished."
In the early days of the Republic of China, China was deeply troubled by internal and external troubles: external powers were surrounded by, internal warlords were fighting, and the people were in distress. Faced with the crisis of "the national strength is weak, the martial arts style is weak, and the national physical fitness is declining", when the young Mao Zedong pursued the road to saving the country, he deeply realized the great significance of sports in strengthening the national body, promoting the spirit of martial arts, and saving the nation from danger. On April 1, 1917, Mao Zedong, who was only 24 years old, published "Study on Sports" under the pen name "Twenty-Eight Paintings Students" in the second volume of the third and second volume of "New Youth", proposing the famous idea of "If you want to civilize your spirit, you must first barbarize your body." As a college student, being able to publish articles at the same time as "top stars" such as Chen Duxiu, Li Dazhao, and Hu Shi shows the academic value and social influence of this literature.
There was an episode when the article was published: the editorial department initially judged it as an ordinary sports paper, but it did not meet the publication standards of "New Youth", but Chen Duxiu strongly supported "this is not a purely sports theory", which eventually led to publication. Although this article is called "Sports Research", it actually explores the deep value of sports for personal growth, national awakening and national prosperity when the nation is in danger, and advocates strengthening physical fitness and tempering their will to save the nation. Chen Duxiu highly praised this article for its "significant motivational effect on youth" and called it the "opening work of sports research." Mao Zedong's teacher Yang Changji personally reviewed and "praise" this article, and recommended it to Chen Duxiu for publication; Xu Teli called his "sportsman" idea as an example.
2. Books on "Stories of Chairman Mao's Body Exercise in Adolescence"
This poster with distinct characteristics of the times is based on warm tones, and overall presents a blend of historical heaviness and revolutionary romanticism. The main body of the picture is the side-standing statue of the young Mao Zedong - he is wearing a light-colored double-breasted Chinese cloth shirt and a dark short jacket on the outside. His left hand is naturally placed on the collar, and his right hand is hanging down to his side. His figure is as straight as a pine, and his eyes are firm and firm. The contour lines on his face reveal the youthful spirit, vividly interpreting the early sports view of "barbaric body and civilized spirit". The lower right is dotted with silhouettes of mass performing physical exercise, such as dynamic group images of running and jumping, forming a "movement and stillness" response to the birds flying high in the upper left corner, which not only sets off the subject but also metaphors the mass base of "national fitness".
When in Yan'an, Ren Bishi sighed: "Comrade Mao Zedong has such a strong body, which is a great luck for our party." In December 1936, when Mao Zedong met with Snow in a cave in northern Shaanxi, I said: "I later traveled back and forth in South China many times, and during the Long March from Jiangxi to the northwest, I especially needed such a physique."
In his youth, Mao Zedong participated in many exercises: cold bathing, swimming, mountain climbing, hiking, sleeping in the open, and six-stage exercises. Specifically, it includes: a persistent "cold water bath": regardless of cold and heat, water is poured into the body every morning with well water to temper the steel will not be afraid of difficulties. "Xiangjiang Swimming" that hits the water in the middle of the stream: the most love to fight against the wind and waves of the Xiangjiang River with close friends, "When you hit the water in the middle of the stream, the waves will stop the flying boat?" is a portrayal of his youth.
The "wind bath", "rain bath" and "sunbath" close to nature: take the initiative to welcome the baptism of wind and rain, and forge extraordinary physique and courage in special environments. Long-distance hiking and outdoor sleeping: Through hiking and studying, mountain climbing, we not only broaden our minds but also strengthen our perseverance. As a goalkeeper, young Mao Zedong was particularly prominent. When he was studying in Hunan No. 1 Normal School, the school's football team was well-known in Changsha. Mao Zedong was burly and had the momentum of "one man should be the barrier of ten thousand men" as soon as he stood in front of the door. He once set a record of not losing a goal in the Changsha Inter-school Football League.
3. Old photo of Mao Zedong's inscription on Yan'an Sports Festival in 1942 "Exercise and fight against Japan"
A inscription from an old newspaper is behind the far-reaching considerations of the Chinese Communist Party in strengthening the national physique and inspiring the fighting spirit of the war during the War of Resistance Against Japan. During the war of wars, Mao Zedong wrote the inscription "Train your body and fight against Japan" on the occasion of the Yan'an Sports Festival in 1942. Chairman Mao’s calligraphy is very distinctive. He learned from monk Huaisu, Zhang Xu and Huang Tingjian, and was particularly influenced by Huang Tingjian, giving people a magnificent, refreshing, and unrestrained feeling. His characters are now respected by people as "Mao style" and are representative of early works. From the use of brush and ink, we can see the vigorousness of the middle-aged hair, and the lines reveal his firm determination to defeat Japan and win the victory of the War of Resistance.
In 1942, the War of Resistance Against Japan entered a strategic stalemate stage, and the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region faced the dual challenges of material scarcity and military pressure. In order to mobilize the whole people to support the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Yan'an "September 1" Expansion Games opened on September 1, attracting 1,388 athletes to participate, covering many teams such as the 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army, the Anti-Japanese University, and the Luyi. Mao Zedong personally attended the opening ceremony, and Zhu De served as the president and delivered a speech, emphasizing that "sports serve the war of resistance." September 9th is the first sports festival of the National Government. Mao Zedong wrote for the Xinhua Daily "Train your body and fight against Japan", directly pointing out the strategic value of sports in strengthening the physical fitness of military and civilians and improving combat effectiveness.
Sports activities during the Yan'an period were highly militarized and practical. He Long’s inscription for the “September 1” expansion of sports is “Militaryization of sports.” Sports and military training are closely integrated, such as swimming training emphasizes crossing the river with armed forces, and basketball games are given military significance - the famous "fighting basketball team" players immediately entered the battle with the Japanese army after a basketball game "warm up" in 1938. Leaders such as Zhu De and He Long attached great importance to sports. Zhu De once wrote the inscription "Fighting Basketball Team" "Physicians on the Field, Warriors on the Field", accurately summarizing the close relationship between sports and military.
4. In 1946, Mao Zedong and Ma Haide played table tennis and watched old photos of Ma Haide and Li Na playing table tennis
Mao Zedong loved table tennis the most in his life. As early as when he was studying in Hunan No. 1 Normal School, Mao Zedong fell in love with table tennis. During the hard years in Yan'an, playing table tennis became Mao Zedong's main sports event for his spare time. The carpenter in the logistics department found some wood with better elasticity and made a pair of tables that can play ball and hold meetings, and also made a bracket. Table tennis is usually obtained occasionally from enemy warehouses, or brought by students from big cities and overseas Chinese; rackets are homemade "light boards". Mao Zedong was accustomed to using the straight-slap grip at this time, with both the middle and index fingers holding the racket. Whenever Mao Zedong worked at his desk for a long time, he would play a game with the staff around him.
This old photo taken in 1946 freezes the precious moment when Mao Zedong and American medical scientist Ma Haide had table tennis interaction during the Yan'an period. In the picture, the two are in an outdoor winter scene, with bare trees, thin snow-covered ground and stone wall buildings in the distance, which intuitively reflects the arduous war environment and simple living conditions in the early days of the Liberation War. The table tennis table is a temporary simple wooden frame with a rough tabletop and a simple bracket structure, which confirms the sports practice characteristics of "simple things in response to bad things and adapt to local conditions" in the revolutionary era.
Ma Haide: American-born doctoral medicine, arrived in northern Shaanxi in 1936 to participate in the Chinese revolution, joined the Communist Party of China in 1937, and served as an advisor to the Health Department of the Central Military Commission and a health doctor led by Mao Zedong and other central leaders. He was very concerned about Mao Zedong's health. In order to adjust his high-intensity work rhythm, he actively advocated and accompanied Mao Zedong for table tennis and other physical exercises. He was also the first foreigner to become a Chinese nationality and a staunch supporter and participant in the Chinese revolution. Li Ne: Chairman Mao Zedong's youngest daughter, she was still young at that time. Growing up in the arduous environment of Yan'an, this photo also reflects the life of revolutionary descendants. The photos record the warm scene of Chairman Mao Zedong's family life and show the affinity of the revolutionary leader as his father.
5. "Yu Ping Fitness Certificate"
Folk song "The father digs a hole and gets a hole and gets a hole and gets a hole and gets a hole and gets a hole and gets a hole... I don't pay for three months, and my life is really sad!" is a real microcosm of the miserable life of the miners on Anyuan Road. Under the triple oppression of imperialism, feudal forces and bureaucratic compradors, the workers not only lived a slave life of "not filling their stomachs and not covering their clothes", but also became generally weak and plagued by the harsh working conditions. For them, strengthening their bodies is first for survival and even more for resistance.
Early leaders of the Party, such as Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi, and Li Lisan, keenly understood this. Their work is far more than theoretical propaganda: after the founding of the Communist Party of China in 1921, Mao Zedong, then secretary of the Hunan Branch of the Communist Party of China, went deep into mines, boiler rooms, dining and accommodation offices and other work offices, and had extensive contact with workers. He started from talking about family matters, understood the sufferings of workers and the class situation of Anyuan, inspired workers, and opened a workers' club.
In September 1922, an Anyuan Road miners' strike led by Mao Zedong and Liu Shaoqi broke out. This was the first worker struggle led by the Communist Party of China independently and achieved complete victory. It was not only a command post for leading the strike, but also a big family for organizing workers to learn culture and carry out cultural and entertainment activities. By organizing fitness, playing ball, running and other activities, the club gathered the casual workers and cultivated their collectivist spirit and courage to fight. This "Pingmine Fitness Certificate" is not only a witness to the workers' movement back then, but also a portrayal of the strong seeds and body strengthening in the history of the Chinese revolution, connecting the red memories of leaders such as Mao Zedong and Liu Shaoqi going deep into the grassroots, mobilizing the masses, and saving the country.
6. Old photos of ice skating in Yan'an
In 1937, the Central Red Army entered Yan'an, which not only brought the future of the Chinese revolution to Yan'an, but also brought various sports. It mainly uses the natural ice rink formed after the Yan River is frozen. For example, the skating rink of Yan'an Sports Club is built on the Yan River at the mouth of Dabiangou in the north of the city. Among them, the skating competition conference was held in 1938, and the skating training course was held in Yan'an Sports Training Class in 1941. In 1943, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the "27th" strike, all walks of life in Yan'an held the "Yan'an City Skating Conference". The competition event is quite interesting, one of which is the "lights to go back" competition for men and women in the 200-meter race. During the figure skating performance, there was an old cadre from the Long March who studied at the Central Party School. He could steadily slide out the "8" characters, "3" characters, "S" and other graphics in front, back, inside and outside blades during the performance.
In the hard years, most of the venues and equipment for physical exercise are simple and locally used. For example, cut the old steel plate of waxed paper into two halves to make ice skates. The bomb skin left by the Japanese bombing can also be made into ice skates by blacksmithing. Later, Yan'an Iron Factory produced ice skates. This ice skates are different from "overseas ice skates". They are only simple ice skates and need to be fixed to the shoes when used.
Many leaders were also skating enthusiasts. Comrades Nie Heting and Li Chang were skating activists at that time, and Comrades Peng Zhen and Deng Fa also often participated in skating. Relevant information shows that Mao Zedong once participated in ice skating in Yan'an. On January 4, 1953, Mao Zedong and his daughters Li Min and Li Ne were clearly recorded in the Zhongnanhai ice skating rink. In "My Childhood and Leader's Father", Li Min recalled that Mao Zedong once encouraged his children to "see the difficulties" and observed them practicing at the ice rink and participated in ice skating in person.
7. Chairman Mao personally awarded the large-scale silver enamel model youth five-star medal in Yan'an in 1939
As an important marker among Chinese revolutionary relics, the Yan'an Model Youth Medal was born in the most difficult period of the War of Resistance Against Japan in 1939. This commemorative medal is a special honorary medal issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to commend young people who have performed outstandingly in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region and various anti-Japanese base areas. In 1939, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the May Fourth Movement, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held a youth commemorative meeting in Yan'an. Mao Zedong delivered speeches "The Direction of Youth Movement" and "Permanent Struggle" at the meeting, emphasizing that young people should have the spirit of "correct political direction" and "Permanent Struggle". Against this background, all units in Yan'an selected a group of young people who had outstanding performance in anti-Japanese and national salvation, production and labor, and theoretical study, awarded the title of "Model Youth", and awarded the commemorative medals for commendation.
Under the Yan'an Youth National Saving Organization, the first Yan'an Youth Day Sports Conference was held from May 6 to 8. The sports meet includes track and field, basketball, volleyball, shooting, horse racing, bomb throwing, etc., which are both competitive and military-oriented, and directly serve the needs of the War of Resistance. After three days of fierce competition, the winners of each event were decided: the First Battalion of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University and the Luxun Art School team won the first and second place in the men's group of the track and field competition; the Marxist-Leninist College team and the Fifth Battalion of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University team won the first and second place in the women's group. This sports meeting laid the foundation for subsequent large-scale events (such as the 1942 "September 1" Expansion Games), promoted the popularization of sports in the base area, such as the ice sports meetings, water sports meetings, etc., to form a mass sports atmosphere of "exercise your body and fight against Japan".
This medal is rich in color, with a texture precipitated by time on the surface, and the mottled traces show the simplicity and vicissitudes of life. The blue character pattern in the middle of the medal is bright and dazzling. The character holds a big knife in his right hand and holds a hoe or hammer in his left hand, which perfectly matches the image of the "model youth". The overall color matching not only carries the heaviness of history, but also adds a touch of bright colors due to the embellishment of blue characters. Various colors complement each other and complement each other. The words "Model Youth" are engraved with the "1939" and the year of issuance, which points out the nature and historical moment of the medal.
The first place in the men's group, Liu Yongchuan and Shi Yan; the first place in the women's group, Wang Ze. The first team of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University was the First Basketball University; the first team of the Women's Group was the Central Party School; and the first team of the Children's Group was the First Team of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University. The first place in the volleyball men's group was Lu Xun Art School; the first place in the women's group was the Central Party School. The First Battalion of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University and the Marxist-Leninist College won the first and second place in the team in the shooting competition. Xu Yixin of Luxun Art School and Su Zhenhua of the First Team of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University won one and two places in the equestrian competition respectively.
8. "Friendship First, Competition Second" Propaganda Poster for the Third Sports Games of the Chinese People's Liberation Army
"Friendship first, competition second" was proposed by Chairman Mao during a survey in Wuhan, Hubei in May 1969. At that time, Chairman Mao lived in the East Lake guesthouse, and the one who was responsible for the guards was the first squadron of the Central Guard Regiment. In order to activate the cultural and sports life of staff and guards, Donghu Guest House often arranges some basketball games. Chairman Mao sometimes also comes to watch to rest his brain.
One day, the weather was clear and the warm wind blew the trees covered with green trees. A battle between the first squadron soldiers and the famous 8th Steel Company of the 45th Division of the nearby Airborne Army is about to begin. At this time, Chairman Mao walked towards the stadium from Meiling No. 1. When everyone saw Chairman Mao coming, they looked at him intently. There was silence on the court.
Chairman Mao smiled: "What's wrong, everyone plays ball and starts the game." After the referee blew the whistle and started the game, the two sides fought. There are many spectators in this game, but there are few people who really watch football. On the contrary, there are many people who watch Chairman Mao. Chairman Mao said humorously: "You should watch basketball games, not the audience." These words made everyone amused. Chairman Mao’s guard force is China’s most powerful ace guard after all, and he is excellent in all aspects and does not lose everything. After dozens of minutes of fighting, the heroic 8th Steel Company still lost to the first squadron.
Chairman Mao applauded the performances of the two teams and said to the soldiers of the first squadron: "It is good for you to win the ball, but it is not good if you just want to win the ball. Playing ball between both sides is a friendly game, and it is active in cultural and sports life. Don't be afraid of strong teams, but the weak teams should encourage them. Respect others, help them, and help them win you. Friendship first, and the game second."
This poster was born on May 11, 1975 when the opening of the Third Sports Games of the People's Liberation Army of China. The main elements in the picture include soldiers and athletes, wearing military uniforms and sportswear, holding sports equipment, and expressing a happy expression, reflecting an atmosphere of unity. As a military sports event that took 16 years after the second session of 1959, it was held at the Workers' Stadium in Beijing, bringing together nearly 5,000 athletes from 20 delegations of the entire army, covering new and old military groups such as the Navy, Air Force, various military regions and infrastructure engineering corps. Marshal Zhu De was present at the scene. At the opening ceremony, 1,200 people assassination and exercises shocked the audience, demonstrating the revolutionary tradition of "making the military spirit with sports".
9. In 1959, Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi, Zhou Enlai, Zhu De, Deng Xiaoping and others
Old photos of the leaders of the Party and the state attending the opening ceremony of the first National Games
On September 13, 1959, Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De and other party and state leaders attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Workers' Stadium. Delegations of 24 countries including the Soviet Union and France and 61 international sports people participated, becoming the "National Day Celebration" for New China to show its image to the world.
During the first National Games, Chairman Mao had two very interesting details when watching the game on the rostrum: Watching the game with glasses: Chairman Mao, who usually doesn't wear glasses, specially wore a pair of black-framed glasses to see more clearly, stared at the arena with all his attention. Using a telescope: Maybe I feel that wearing glasses is not satisfying. Chairman Mao asked the staff to bring the telescope, and from time to time he raised it to stare at the game in the distance, with a cheerful smile on his face.
You may have seen countless photos of Chairman Mao, but you must not have seen many photos of Chairman Mao wearing glasses, and you may not even have seen them. Even in his later years, Chairman Mao's vision gradually declined, and he suffered from cataracts and blurred reading and literacy. He did not wear glasses, but asked the staff to read to him.
The origins of Chairman Mao and sports can be summarized as: being a national player (football goalkeeper), loving table tennis, obsessed with swimming, and enjoying watching sports games.
10. Old photos of Chairman Mao traveling to the Yangtze River
In Mao Zedong's life, swimming was his favorite and best-school sports. He summed up his unique experience of swimming: "The biggest advantage of swimming is that you can not think about things and allow your brain to rest well. Taking sleeping pills, walking, watching operas, and dancing is not enough, but swimming can be done because you will sink when you think about things and drink water." He also believes that "there are many benefits of swimming regularly! Not only can you exercise your body, but you can also contact people from all walks of life. It is a good time to understand all aspects of society and the best rest."
After the mid-1950s, as conditions were increasingly met, Mao Zedong often swam the rivers and the seas. He swam across rivers and rivers such as the Yangtze River, the Pearl River, the Yong River, the Gan River, the Xiang River, the Qiantang River, the Lulin Lake, and the Shaoshan Qingnian Reservoir. He swam many times in the sea of Beidaihe and 17 times in the Yangtze River. At the end of May 1956, Chairman Mao crossed the Yangtze River three times in a row, and each time he could swim for two or three hours, which was better than the physical condition of ordinary young people.
After crossing the Yangtze River for the second time, Chairman Mao wrote the popular "Water Temperament Song Head·Swimming". In the lyrics, Mao Zedong expressed his happy mood to cross the Yangtze River with the sentence "No matter the wind and waves blow, it is better than walking in the garden, and today I have a lot of money." Fighting with the wind and waves, you can express the feeling of "better than walking in the garden". What a calm demeanor and revolutionary pride!
This old photo of Chairman Mao traveling to the Yangtze River taken by a Xinhua News Agency reporter truly records the heroic moment of Chairman Mao traveling to the Yangtze River. In the picture, the chairman is calm and moves forward through the waves, vividly showing his strong body and extraordinary willpower. This classic image is not only a powerful practice of the policy of "developing sports and enhancing people's physical fitness", but also conveys the optimistic spirit of "no matter how wind and waves blow, it is better than walking in the garden", inspiring generations of Chinese people to move forward bravely and promote the continuous progress of Chinese sports.
This "Mao Zedong Sports Collection Exhibition" is not only a concentrated display of precious cultural relics, but also a spiritual dialogue that transcends the times. It makes us deeply realize that the sports spirit advocated by Comrade Mao Zedong has long surpassed the individual dimension of strengthening the body and sublimated into an important force to strengthen the country and inspire the national spirit. Although the exhibition has a time limit, the glory of the ideological "developing sports and enhancing the physical fitness of the people" left by the great man, as well as the arduous struggle and self-improvement spirit he practiced throughout his life, will continue to inspire us to contribute to building a strong sports country and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on the journey of the new era. I hope every audience can draw strength from it and let the spark of sports spirit be passed down from generation to generation.
