In March 2025, World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25 will be held in Nanjing. Athletes' hard training and wonderful performance can always touch people's hearts; however, few people pay attention to the fact that there is such a group of silent escort for athletes, their names are common but loud - team doctors. Xu Peng, deputy director of the Sports Hospital of the Training Centre of the Jiangsu Provincial Sports Bureau, is one of the team doctors. For the upcoming World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25 in Nanjing, Xu Peng is very excited, ‘This is a very high-level competition, we and the athletes have begun to prepare for it.’Escorting: Responsibility for food, clothing, housing and transport

Xu Peng studied Chinese medicine and orthopaedics in his undergraduate degree and sports training in his master's degree. 2006, just after graduation, Xu Peng stepped into the training centre of the Jiangsu Provincial Sports Bureau to become a team doctor, which has been nearly 20 years now.

As a team doctor, Xu Peng's life is closely linked to that of the athletes. Unlike most professions, athletes train on holidays, and every Sunday is their only day off. As a result, Xu Peng spends more than 300 days a year with the athletes, and even spends more time with the children than their parents.

Evaluating the athletes' physical condition, equipping them with therapeutic equipment and regular medicines, determining the type and number of sports they are suited for, and helping them relax and heal after competitions ...... seems to be the usual perception of a team doctor. However, Xu Peng's work is much more delicate than that. Whenever he goes out to a competition, Xu Peng pays attention to the weather at the venue in advance and reminds the athletes to bring the right clothes accordingly. ‘For example, if it's raining at the venue, I'll ask the athletes to bring a few extra pairs of shoes.’ Xu Peng's meticulousness stems from his love for the athletes and for track and field events.

Knowing: help psychological counselling, trust as the basis

Team doctor, not only need to ‘heal’ injuries, but also need to ‘heal’ the heart.

A few years ago, Xu Peng management of an athlete was not selected for the Olympic trials and depressed, and even had the idea of retirement. In the leadership and coaches are at a loss, Xu Peng went to the athlete's room to communicate with him, psychological counselling. Under Xu Peng's concern, the athlete gradually came out of his depression and continued to train actively, eventually winning a bronze medal in the 4×100 metres relay at the Tokyo Olympics.

How should team doctors communicate with athletes? Are the children willing to open their hearts? Talking about this series of problems, Xu Peng's face is written with pride. ‘A lot of heart, they are willing to talk to me. Some do not dare to speak directly with the leadership, they are willing to come to me, through me to feedback.’ Day after day together, considerate and subtle care, the achievement of Xu Peng and athletes trust each other.

Passion: ‘Run’ in the work outside, sports as a companion!

Xu Peng's anticipation and enthusiasm for World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25 stems not only from his role as a team doctor, but also from his second role as a sports enthusiast in his daily life.

In 2013, Xu Peng began to practice running; after he started competing in 2019, he ran a half-marathon almost every Sunday. On his only regular day off, Xu Peng remains passionate about the company of sports. ‘During my lunch break, I also go to the gym to work out.’ In the midst of his busy schedule, sports and exercise have become Xu Peng's unique way of taking a break.

In his dual role, Xu Peng has travelled to more than 60 cities for various events. In his eyes, there is a reason why Nanjing is able to host world-class events. The passionate city, the enthusiastic citizens, the warm and lively atmosphere ...... Nanjing, let him feel the strong sports atmosphere. In the map that Xu Peng measured with his feet, Nanjing is undoubtedly a bright landscape.

World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25 is coming, many people who love sports have begun to ‘fist-pumping’. In this regard, Xu Peng also put forward a little advice. He reminded everyone: ‘Pay attention to strengthen muscle strength, training joint flexibility.’

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