The 29th FIMS World Congress of Sports Medicine was held in the 2008 Olympic City, Beijing, China, from June 14 to 16, 2006. Over 1600 participants from 90 countries shared their passion for sports medicine and sports sciences, highlighting latest research, innovations and applications in this historical city.

The Organizing Committee, led by Prof. Guoping Li, has realized the Congress’ theme “Sports Medicine for Excellence, Health, Productivity, Culture and Peace” through their outstanding work, thereby ensuring the success of this Congress.

The scientific programme was fertilized by over 80 international renowned faculties. This time, the scientific committee of the Congress has programmed over 20 symposia with the submission of more than 500 free papers. Apart from symposia, there were altogether 5 concurrent instructional courses, included: Team Physician Advanced Course, Sports Nutrition Course, Sports Rehabilitation Course, Arthroscopy Advanced Course and Traditional Chinese Medicine Course.

The Arthroscopy Advanced Course was presented jointly by 301 PLA Hospital, and the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. This course attracted more than 400 participants from all over China, with support from experienced orthopaedic surgeons, such as Professor Kim Seung-Ho, Professor Christer Rolf, Dr. Mohammad Razi and Professor KM Chan. The course included lectures and surgical demonstrations.

Apart from the hectic official programme, the Organizing Committee had prepared a variety of social programmes. The Opening Ceremony, which was scheduled for the morning of July 14, 2006, was attended by Mr. Duan Shijie, Deputy Minister of the Department of General Administration of Sports, PR China, and also Mr. Yang Shu’an, Executive Vice-President of the Beijing Olympic Games’ Organizing Committee.

We were also provided with a video speech from the President of the International Olympic Committee, Dr. Jacques Rogge. He confirmed the importance of promoting sports medicine for improving the quality of life of all people. In the final section of the Opening Ceremony, Prof. KM Chan presented the presidential lecture, in which he summarized his four-year presidency of FIMS, sharing with the delegates past, present and future prospects, whilst also highlighting significant achievements and challenges.

The Congress banquet was tailored to enable delegates to savour traditional Chinese fare, whilst being entertained by performances showing the diversified Chinese culture. The tour to the 2008 Olympic venue was one of the highlights of the Congress. More than 150 guests were invited to visit the construction site and a brief introduction to the facility at the venue was provided.

The Congress was supported by the following organizations: the International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Paralympic Committee (IPC), World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), International Council of Sports Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE), International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS) and other international sports federations. After the Global Forum held during the Congress, all parties agreed to work towards the goal of strengthening sports medicine and sports sciences as the global focal point in the future development of sport.

Niched in staging the 2008 Olympic Game, our participants had brought back home not only the message on advancing sports medicine, but also the memory of the warm hospitality and excitement in the Olympic City.