500 participants join a 4.5-kilometer race during a fitness-for-all activity to celebrate International Olympic Day in Beijing, China, June 21, 2025. (Xinhua)

　　Hundreds joined a spirited run between Beijing's iconic Olympic venues on Saturday, kicking off nationwide celebrations for International Olympic Day.

　　by sportswriters Li Chunyu and Yang Boyi

　　BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- As an integral part of Beijing Marathon's classic route, the central avenue between China's capital city's iconic dual Olympic venues “Bird's Nest“ and “Water Cube“ has long been an attraction for runners.

　　On Saturday morning, 500 participants started an event here on the avenue, which was one of the fitness-for-all activities held nationwide to celebrate the upcoming International Olympic Day, which falls on June 23.

　　The 4.5-kilometer race took place mainly around the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, where both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics were staged. The finish line was near the Beijing Olympic Museum, located south of the stadium.

　　Wang Shuchuan, a former triathlete, came to the starting area early in the morning to prepare for his vlog. “I kept exercising and participating in marathon events after my athletic career had ended. I hope to lead more people to join in sporting events through my videos and enlarge our running community,“ he said.

　　Runner poses for pictures in the central avenue between Beijing's dual Olympic venues. (Xinhua/Dai Mingxuan)