SZ hosts 100-day countdown ceremony for the 15th National Games

With less than 100 days to go until the opening ceremony, the 15th National Games and 12th National Paralympic Games, along with the 9th National Special Olympic Games, kicked off their countdown Saturday evening in Shenzhen with a ceremony that unveiled the highly anticipated ceremonial torch, medals, and other key elements of the events.

Performers mark the 100-day countdown to the opening of the 15th National Games and 12th National Paralympic Games, along with the 9th National Special Olympic Games, during a ceremony in Shenzhen on Saturday. Photos by Xinhua

The highlight of the ceremony was the debut of the Games’ official torch, which is named “Blossom.” It was designed by a team led by He Ye, the lead industrial designer at Guangdong Macro Gas Appliance Co. Ltd.

“The core design philosophy of ‘Blossom’ is fusion and glory,” He explained. “It represents the cultural exchange and fusion of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as our shared prosperity, reflecting the ‘one family, same root’ Lingnan culture and the region’s collaborative development.”

The torch for China's 15th National Games and 12th National Paralympic Games, along with the 9th National Special Olympics Games, is unveiled in Shenzhen on Saturday. 

From a top-down view, the torch's flame nozzle forms the wave-like shape of the Games' emblem, with the Guangdong kapok, Hong Kong bauhinia, and Macao lotus flower intertwined, representing the innovative spirit of the Greater Bay Area.

The torch’s body features a streamlined metal frame and a peony pattern at its base, symbolizing the unity and prosperity of the three. The gold-colored torch stands 760 mm tall, weighs 1.6 kg, and has a maximum diameter of 125 mm at the flame port. Using a modular design, the main body of the torch is crafted from high-strength, 3D-printed stainless steel and temperature-resistant aluminum alloy.

The torch’s design is a direct extension of the Games’ emblem. “From a distance, the torch looks like a perfect freeze-frame of brilliant fireworks exploding in the sky,” He said, noting the contrast between a soft, matte texture and strong metal lines that conveys an aesthetic of Eastern philosophy.

Practicality was also a key consideration. “The Greater Bay Area’s climate is windy and rainy, so we had to enhance the torch’s wind and rain resistance,” He stated. The torch has undergone rigorous laboratory testing, including simulations of extreme weather and drop tests, to ensure flame stability. It can withstand winds of up to 20 meters per second (a force-8 gale) and continue to burn steadily.

The flame lantern for China's 15th National Games and 12th National Paralympic Games, along with the 9th National Special Olympics Games is revealed in Shenzhen on Saturday.

The flame cauldron for China's 15th National Games and 12th National Paralympic Games, along with the 9th National Special Olympics Games is revealed in Shenzhen on Saturday.

Complementing the torch are a ceremonial lantern and a cauldron. For the first time, the design utilizes additive manufacturing and precision engineering processes. It incorporates venturi ejector and premixed combustion technologies, reducing emissions and making it more environmentally friendly. The lantern uses a light naphtha fuel, significantly cutting harmful gas emissions like sulfur dioxide and improving combustion efficiency.

The unveiling ceremony also showcased the official victory ceremony music, podium attire, and medals for the Paralympic Games. The victory ceremony music, which will be played during medal presentations, incorporates elements of the famous Lingnan melody “Color Clouds Chasing the Moon.”

Models demonstrate the podium attire for China's 15th National Games and 12th National Paralympic Games, along with the 9th National Special Olympics Games, during the ceremony Saturday. 

The podium attire, primarily pink, is a modern take on the mamianqun, or the horse-faced skirt, a distinctive Hanfu style known for its high, flat front and pleated sides. A highlight of the design is a single peony embroidered on the skirt, inspired by Yue embroidery, one of China’s four great embroidery styles.

The medals for China's 12th National Paralympic Games, along with the 9th National Special Olympics Games are unveiled in Shenzhen on Saturday. 

The “United Warmth” medals for the Paralympic Games were also revealed. In a significant step towards inclusivity, Braille has been added to the medals, allowing visually impaired athletes to touch and feel their achievements.

The 15th National Games will be held from Nov. 9 to 21 across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. It marks the first time Hong Kong and Macao have co-hosted the event and the first time the Greater Bay Area has hosted China’s highest-level, largest, and most influential multi-sport games as a single entity.

The 12th National Paralympic Games, along with the 9th National Special Olympic Games, will follow from Dec. 8 to 15, also in the three locations.