Former ambassador eagerly awaiting Beijing Games

Skiing in Chongli, Zhangjiakou, has become a frequent getaway opportunity for the former Croatian ambassador to China, Ante Simonic, and his wife, Rita Zhao.

Chongli, in Hebei province, a few hours' drive from Beijing, is set to host major skiing events during the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics.

"The first time I came to Chongli for skiing was when I assumed office as ambassador of Croatia to China in 2008," Simonic said. "I was fascinated by the scenery and now I spend four to five months with my wife there every year."

Earning his PhD from the Pharmacology Department at the University of Rijeka in 1980, Simonic highly values health and the positive effects of sports participation.

He was actively engaged in sports when he served as a deputy minister in Croatia in 2002 and 2003, responsible for areas of science, sports and education at the time.

The 69-year-old is dedicated to promoting sports not only as a politician, but as an active participant as well.

He joined sports clubs and played an active role in various sporting institutions, including Panathlon International which promotes healthy sporting activities.

He won several national rowing championships, and was a member of Medicinar, a soccer team made up of doctors.

"Sports is so important to each individual and the whole of society. It helps people to be healthy," Simonic said. "If you want to enjoy life, you should first make your body fit."

Participating in sports has taught the former ambassador how to live harmoniously with others and find an inner peace, as the sporting events he often takes part in are team competitions, which require trust and collaboration among teammates.

Simonic said the lessons he learned during his years as a competitive athlete taught him much more than sports strategies.

"The games teach me how to win, and how to be a winner, even when I didn't win the game," he said. "Even when you are the champion, you cannot stay at that position your entire life, and you will eventually face the reality that you are no longer the champion."

The message that sport conveys is positive for both individuals and society, and by extension, the international community.

He said: "Olympics or other international sporting events can help countries come closer together, and help the international community to find solutions to challenging situations. Though sports cannot solve many tough situations between certain countries, they can help people to come to the table and talk rather than fight."

As a loyal fan of winter sports, Simonic is eagerly anticipating the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

He said he expects the 2022 Games will be a fantastic event, and China's decision to host the games will help bring even more athletes and countries together.

It's good for China and good for the venues, including Chongli, which will bring tremendous opportunities to locals and help the development of winter sports in China.

"In Europe, we have 65 million people involved in winter sports activities like skiing, and in the United States, the number is about 55 million. China plans to include 300 million people in winter sports, and they will need gear like skis, poles and helmets so I see such a big opportunity for the industry," he said.

"New hotels, resorts and restaurants will be built in Chongli, and more highways and bullet train runs will open," Simonic added.

"Changes in traffic regulations, urban renewal and improvements in the job market in Chongli have been dramatic. The Olympics will be a free advertisement for the region, and this will attract more investment in Games-related projects."

Sporting activities, in a sense, are a kind of business, according to Simonic. And when they are connected with tourism, they can generate substantial value. Winter sports can also complement leisure activities to unleash the full economic potential of tourism and create sustainable revenue rather than simply developing events into a cash cow for a brief period of time.

Simonic, who is interested in traditional Chinese medicine as a medical researcher, has proposed combining ancient Eastern treatments with the development of winter sports resorts to offer foreign visitors a special experience that they may not find in other countries.

"Traditional Chinese medicine represents a philosophy on how to live well and focuses on the balance between man and nature. It also helps us achieve balance in ourselves, and that is exactly what sporting activities teach us," he said.

"Combining TCM with sporting resorts is not only for the sick and injured, but also for healthy people to make their lives even happier. It will help stimulate sports, tourism and medical care in the region," he said.

Simonic has witnessed the many changes China has undergone during his stay in the country over the past several years. He was granted the National Friendship Award in 2017 for his contributions to promoting friendship between China and Croatia.