[InKunming--Kunming] The opening ceremony of the 13th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships (WDBRC) was held in Kunming on October 17th. It represented that the world’s highest standard dragon boat competition came back to China again. In the following 5 days, people can watch more than 2500 athletes from 24 countries and regions racing at Haigeng Dam.

The WDBRC is hosted by International Dragon Boat Federation(IDBF), and jointly undertook by China Dragon Boat Association, Yunnan Sports Bureau, Kunming Municipal Government, Zhongshi Sports and Entertainment Limited Company. It is aimed at promoting culture of dragon boat and presenting the achievements of Dianchi Lake’s environment management.

According to the schedule, championships will be divided into two general competitions: standard dragon boat and small dragon boat. Both of them include mixed, open and women’s events over 200 metres, 500m, 1000m and 2000m.

The championships will be continued to October 22th. Teams from 24 counties and regions will compete in different categories. Among them, Chinese athletes will take part in all individual events of elite category and 17 individual events of experienced athletes category.

People can go to the newly promoted Haigeng Dam to watch dragon boat championships for free. Besides, public transports are recommded to take as several roads nearby will under traffic control during the championshios.

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(Editors: Tracy, Spencer, Rachel)