Recently, the opening ceremony of the 6th Shanghai (Chongming) Leisure Sports Games and the 2023 Shanghai Kayaking Water Marathon were held at the Laoyao River in Chongming. A total of 150 contestants from both on and off the island took part in the competition.

At ten o'clock in the morning, the opening ceremony of the 6th Shanghai (Chongming) Leisure Sports Games kicked off with a lively dance performance. Shortly after, the water marathon, as one of the activities of this event, started first. With the sound of the starting gun, the kayaks lined up neatly on the surface of the Laoyao River, swiftly leaving the starting point. The athletes paddled in and out of the water with vigorous strokes, demonstrating agility and perseverance.

The 2023 Shanghai Kayaking Water Marathon featured two categories: a 21-kilometer race for experienced enthusiasts and athletes, and a 6-kilometer parent-child race for families. The race route showcased the water sports culture, resource endowment, and natural scenery of Chongming as a world-class ecological island. Fixed medical stations, rescue boats, volunteers, and other support measures were provided on-site to ensure the smooth progress of the event.

In addition, the opening ceremony also featured a carnival marketplace, incorporating Chongming's high-quality agricultural products, star-rated accommodations, tourist attractions, and other characteristic industries into the event services. This aimed to attract more visitors to Chongming and gradually develop it into a "sports and leisure island" with strong visibility and influence.

It is Learned that this year's Leisure Sports Games has the theme of "Vibrant Recreational Sports, Enjoying Ecological Chongming". It combines Chongming's natural ecological advantages and sets up four main areas ("water, fields, forest, road") and eight major sports events. The event will continue until late November.