The 2nd National Youth Games opened in Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi province, on the evening of Aug 8.

The opening ceremony consisted of speeches, performances, and a torch tower ignition ceremony. 

The performances were themed around the Belt and Road, the Taihang Mountains, the Yellow River, and the Great Wall and integrated art and sports with Shanxi culture. Six torchbearers lit the flame on the torch tower with the help of some robotic arms. 

This is the largest sports event held in and hosted by Shanxi province since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. The games will end on Aug 18.

The event has attracted over 33,000 athletes from 34 delegations across China, who will compete in 1,868 events and 49 different sports. 

Unlike the first games held in Fuzhou, Fujian province in 2015, the Shanxi event adds winter sports to prepare for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, as well as several traditional Chinese sports such as dragon boat racing and Chinese-style wrestling. 

In addition to Taiyuan, another 10 cities in the province will also co-host the games. Among the 58 stadiums and other facilities built or renovated for the event, 15 are located in Taiyuan.

The opening ceremony for the 2nd National Youth Games takes place in Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi province, on the evening of Aug 8. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

Six torchbearers light the flame on the torch tower with the help of some robotic arms, Aug 8. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]