10th Symposium, 25.09.2025, Beijing

The 10th Sino-German Academic Symposium on Sports Development took place at Beijing Sport University on September 25, 2025. Marking its tenth anniversary, the symposium provided an opportunity to reflect on the past and look ahead. Over the past decade, this dialogue has accompanied the transformation of sports, from an elite-centered model to the rise of recreational sports and their increasing integration. Against this backdrop, this year's symposium theme was:

"Sport in Transition: Navigating the Changing Landscapes of Elite and Leisure Sports."

During the opening ceremony, Qidi Zhou, Vice President of Beijing Sport University, and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Mittag, Dean of the Institute of European Sport Development and Leisure Studies at the German Sport University Cologne, discussed the 44-year history of collaboration between the two universities and expressed optimism about future partnerships. The symposium also addressed the reciprocal visit of a Beijing Sport University delegation to the German Sport University Cologne from September 22–23, which further strengthened bilateral academic exchanges.

Academic Highlights

During the academic sessions, several distinguished scholars from China and Germany presented their cutting-edge research and participated in in-depth discussions. Three representatives from the German Sport University Cologne, in particular, delivered keynote presentations that highlighted the symposium’s theme:

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Daniel Memmert (Head of the Institute of Training and Computer Science in Sport): "Bridging the Gap Between Elite and Leisure Sports with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning": Professor Memmert demonstrated how AI and machine learning technologies are transforming elite performance analysis and recreational sports participation. He emphasized the opportunities for integration across traditionally separate domains.

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jürgen Mittag (Head, Institute of European Sport Development and Leisure Studies): German Elite Sport Development and Politics: Trajectories, New Approaches and Comparative Perspectives — Professor Mittag examined the historical evolution of Germany’s elite sport system, outlined new approaches to governance and funding, and offered comparative perspectives that resonate beyond the German context.

Danlin Wu, Research Assistant and Ph.D. candidate at the Institute of European Sport Development and Leisure Studies: From Separation to Integration: Rethinking Elite and Leisure Sports in China and Germany." In her presentation, Wu provided a comparative analysis of China and Germany, arguing for a paradigm shift from strict differentiation to greater integration of elite and leisure sports.

Additionally, a high-level panel discussion brought together leading experts to address the challenges and opportunities of balancing elite and leisure sports during a period of transformation. Panelists included Prof. Dr. Daniel Memmert and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Mittag from the German Sport University Cologne; Prof. Dr. Holger Preuss from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz; Prof. Jiang Xiaojie from Beijing Sport University; and Prof. Xie Zeqiang from Shenyang Sport University. The panelists offered diverse academic and policy-oriented perspectives, providing valuable insights into how sports systems can adapt to evolving social demands while maintaining high-performance excellence.

A Decade of Development

Since its launch in 2012 by Beijing Sport University and the German Sport University Cologne, the symposium has become a leading platform for Sino-German dialogue in sports science. Since 2017, the symposium has alternated between China and Germany. In 2024, the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) officially recognized it as one of the most significant international academic conferences. CAST is the leading academic body in China that oversees science and technology associations.

This year's symposium coincided with the 40th anniversary of Beijing Sport University's School of Management and was successfully aligned with the 6th Annual Eurasian Sport Industry Conference. This expansion of the symposium's scope from academic dialogue to industry engagement was a significant achievement.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, initial discussions among the School of Management at Beijing Sport University, emlyon business school, and the Institute of European Sport Development and Leisure Studies at the German Sport University Cologne have outlined an ambitious vision for 2026. The next symposium will become the Sino-German Sport Development · Annual Eurasian Sport Industry Conference. This event will be jointly hosted by the Institute of European Sport Development and Leisure Studies and emlyon business school in Cologne, Germany, in early November 2026. This innovative, expanded format will integrate academic research and applied perspectives more closely, establishing the symposium as a leading international academic brand in sport development with a comparative focus on Europe and China.