A healthy population is the foundation of a prosperous society. In Yuxi, residents now enjoy the convenience of fitness facilities right at their doorstep. The city has successfully implemented the "15-minute fitness circle" initiative, ensuring that urban community members can access sports facilities within a short walk. This achievement reflects Yuxi's commitment to the "7 Special Actions for Patriotic Health Campaign" and its "Strengthening Physical Fitness" initiative.
Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan, Yuxi has prioritized health-oriented urban development, integrating sports into daily life through improved infrastructure, diverse competitions, and deeper societal engagement.
**Comprehensive Infrastructure for Easy Access** As a core component of the "Strengthening Physical Fitness" campaign, Yuxi has significantly invested in sports facilities, establishing a city-wide network that connects urban and rural areas. Currently, 100% of urban communities have achieved the "15-minute fitness circle" standard, with sports infrastructure fully covering towns and villages. The newly built Science and Innovation City sports complex further meets residents' demand for accessible fitness options.
By the end of 2024, Yuxi had 9,869 sports venues, a 19.26% increase from 2020. The total sports area expanded to 6.39 million square meters, up 41.17%, while per capita sports space rose to 2.82 square meters, marking a 48.42% growth.
**Thriving Sports Events and Mass Participation** Capitalizing on its reputation as a "highland for plateau training, paradise for outdoor sports, and year-round competition hub," Yuxi has developed a diverse event portfolio. Signature competitions like the Yimen 72-Turn Bicycle Race, Xinping Mopan Mountain Cross-Country Challenge, and Yuanjiang Winter Outdoor Sports Carnival have gained popularity. Regular community events, such as employee sports meets and the Xingyun Lake Dragon Boat Festival, foster a vibrant fitness culture.
From January to September 2025, Yuxi hosted 273 sports events, attracting 753,000 participants. The proportion of residents engaging in regular exercise reached 42.27%, with a national physical fitness assessment pass rate of 94.72%. Additionally, the city has established 23 municipal and 110 county-level sports associations, supported by professional instructors to ensure safe and effective workouts.
**Integrating Sports and Education for Youth Development** Focusing on young people, Yuxi has merged fitness initiatives with school sports programs to promote holistic development. A total of 216 primary and secondary schools have been designated as "Municipal Sports Tradition and Characteristic Schools," offering over 20 sports disciplines, including track and field, swimming, football, and basketball. Students are guaranteed two hours of daily physical activity.
Innovative policies, such as reserving 3% of annual admissions for sports talents, create pathways from elementary to high school. A three-tier competition system ("Three Competitions, One Meet") provides opportunities for athletically gifted students. Yuxi now boasts two national and five provincial sports talent training bases, along with 112 schools recognized as national campus football hubs.
**"Sports+" Drives Economic and Social Growth** Aligning with its industrial strategy, Yuxi integrates sports with consumption, tourism, and culture. The city has built a development model centered on professional leagues, youth training, and consumer ecosystems. From January to September 2025, Yuxi hosted 163 training camps, generating approximately 1.3 billion yuan in sports-related consumption and investment. It was also selected as a national pilot city for sports consumption and event economy.
Moving forward, Yuxi will continue enhancing sports infrastructure, expanding event offerings, and deepening the connection between fitness and public health, fostering a culture of wellness and vitality.