On 20 May 2018, the Headquarters of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation hosted a grandiose public sport and entertainment event to launch the SCO international marathons. Kunming (Eternal Spring City) in Yunnan Province of the People's Republic of China will host the first marathon on 9 December 2018, with Beijing, the capital of the PRC, hosting the second one on 5 May 2019 during the International Horticultural Exhibition.
On Sunday, the SCO Headquarters was transformed into a big sport arena, with over 200 sport fans gathering on its green running tracks, among them, students from the SCO Family's member-states, pupils from high schools in Beijing, delegates of the SCO Youth League and numerous journalists. One-year-old Aryn Konyrbai, the son of Zhuldyz Danenova, an employee of the SCO Secretariat, and the youngest representative of the SCO generation, became the first to run the symbolic SCO Mile.
Meanwhile, 90 children, members of the Beijing Golden Sail Youth Orchestra, clad in bright sunny-yellow T-shirts, played during the event, their vivacious music reverberating through the SCO Headquarters.
SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov, Special Representative of the Chinese Government for SCO Affairs Sun Lijie, Vice-President of the China Athletics Association Ms Wang Nan and Kunming Vice-Mayor Ms Wang Jianin officially announced the start of preparations for the upcoming SCO International Marathons.
"Sport cooperation is picking up momentum, is becoming an inalienable aspect of intra-SCO cooperation and is playing an important role in popularising traditional sports and expanding friendly relations between the peoples of SCO member-states," Mr Alimov told participants at the presentation. He added that SCO International Marathons brought together thousands of running buffs from dozens of countries. "The most distinguishing feature of the marathons is that not only professional athletes, but also fans with disabilities and people of all ages can take part in them. There are no obstacles and restrictions during SCO Marathons, and the Shanghai spirit unites everyone."
Mr Alimov recalled that the SCO would participate in the specialised International Horticultural Exhibition in Beijing next year. "The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's pavilion will become an integral part of a thriving mini-city, due to bloom like a spring rainbow in northern Beijing and to open its doors to millions of guests from all over the world on 29 April 2019. SCO member-states will share their outstanding achievements in the field of horticulture," he said. Mr Alimov drew attention to the fact that the SCO Headquarters is now filled to overflowing with flowers and shrubs. "This will happen again during the International Horticultural Exhibition. I am confident that the SCO pavilion will rank among the most popular and attractive pavilions of the International Horticultural Exhibition in Beijing. On 5 May 2019, an International SCO Marathon will be held during the exhibition," he commented.
The launch of the SCO International Marathons became an all-out youth sport and cultural festival marked by an atmosphere of friendship and unity.
The event was part of the popular project The SCO Is Our Common Home.