The Ice Sports Center of the National Aquatics Center, Feb. 26, 2023. [Photo courtesy of the National Aquatics Center]

A competition suitable for curlers of all experience levels was held on Feb. 26 at the Ice Sports Center of the National Aquatics Center in Beijing. The event was part of the venue's ongoing celebrations for the anniversary of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

A total of 48 curling enthusiasts from all walks of life formed eight teams and competed against one another on curling lanes made by Chinese technicians for Beijing 2022. The event also made the most of the Winter Olympic legacy by reusing the exact curling equipment, facilities and venue designs.

In addition to offering participants an Olympic-standard curling experience, the venue also added traditional Chinese architectural elements, such as the Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven, to the curling lanes.

Participants warm up before the competition, Feb. 26, 2023. [Photo courtesy of the National Aquatics Center]

Although this competition was held for the public, the scoring standards and related rules were all in accordance with the official arrangements of the World Curling Federation, said Wu Nian, deputy general manager of the National Aquatics Center.

Wu added that the center's curling venue will open to enthusiasts of all ages throughout the year and host more public curling competitions in a bid to honor its commitment of "bringing Winter Olympic achievements to all people."

Located 11 meters beneath the National Aquatics Center's south square, the Ice Sports Center encompasses a 900-square-meter curling rink made up of four standard-sized lanes.

Looking ahead, the center will continue to promote Winter Olympic culture in China, upgrade its supporting facilities, and offer professional, comprehensive and thoughtful ice sports services for the public, so as to achieve sustainable and high-quality development of dual-Olympic venues.