Wuhan racing to prepare for China's first 'military Olympics'

Eager to win

This year, about 400 Chinese players will participate in the event, including all major competitions.

The performance of the Chinese soldiers in the World Military Games will become an important window to test the nation's military training, according to its organizer.

Training is ongoing; already, entering the stadium of the training center in the Central Military Commission, the women athletes of the Military Pentathlon Team are sweating over the training of 2,000-meter running, 200-meter shooting and 500-meter obstacles.

Clambering wire mesh, climbing obstacle ladders and jumping tank walls are their routine training.

"Winning the championship in the World Military Games is the glory of life for a soldier," said Li Chunmei, the coach in the center, and it is a precious opportunity to participate in the military games at home. The team members are gearing up their training so as to dedicate their best performances as a gift for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Feng Jie, deputy captain of the People's Liberation Army August 1st Parachute Jumping Brigade, said that soldiers from all over the world will devote every effort to the honor of championship and to demonstrate the spirit of the soldiers in the field.

They exchange commemorative badges and training methods after the competition, which inspire them to understand better that peace is the highest reward for the soldiers, and peace is the common aspiration of all mankind, Feng said.