Xi pushes sports development to achieve Chinese dream

President Xi Jinping meets Chinese athletes in Sochi, host city of the 22nd Winter Olympic Games, Feb 7, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi has also made relentless efforts to promote the development of the Olympic spirit.

During a visit to the Chinese delegation to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games, Xi said that athletes' success would not be measured only by the number of medals they win, but also by how they demonstrate the Olympic spirit of constantly improving themselves and surpassing their limit.

He is convinced that sports can play a role in building China a strong country.

"Chinese people are closer to the goal of rejuvenating the nation than any time in history. The dream of each citizen as well as the dream of building a strong country through developing sports is closely related with the realization of the Chinese dream," says Xi.

Xi has contributed his share to helping Beijing win the bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

During the process of the bidding, Xi sent a video message to the International Olympic Committee, saying, "Hosting the Winter Olympics will give Chinese people a chance to promote the development of the Olympics and to spread the Olympic spirit."

He said that hosting the Winter Olympics will help 300 million Chinese people to participate in winter games, which will be a great boost to the Olympic Games.