Boosting ice hockey in China: political economy, mega-events and community

AbstractWith Beijing winning the bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, China has been actively boosting winter sports in the domestic market. This article briefly reviews the history of China’s ice hockey development and discusses the growth of ice hockey in China from the perspective of policies, the 2022 Winter Olympics and youth hockey athlete development models in Beijing. The conclusion of this study indicates that the national and local governments in China are taking measures to guarantee hockey development, and the 2022 Winter Olympics have brought huge opportunities for ice hockey in China. Long-term strategies, especially the strategies for the post-2022 Winter Olympic era need to be conducted. In addition, the family model, the professional and youth hockey clubs are efficient ways to maintain sustainable ice hockey development in China.