Let’s begin with two opposing statements, a yin and a yang, so to speak: Wushu will be included in the 2008 Beijing Olympics; Wushu will not be included in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Which is true? For all intents and purposes, they both are.
But I’m getting ahead of my story. First things first: What the heck is wushu?
It is the national sport of China. More accurately, it is China’s national sports — wushu, it seems, is the umbrella term for a disparate range of activities. Some are blatantly combative, akin to kickboxing or wrestling, while others are more gymnastic, celebrating individual grace rather than brute force.
Traditional wushu has been practiced throughout China for thousands of years, with each region, and many individual teachers, formulating their own styles. In 1949 the Communist Party created wushu in a concerted effort to formalize and nationalize Chinese martial arts. Committees were formed, rules were drawn up, and two principle disciplines were defined.
The first is san shou, a form of one-on-one fighting. Wearing protective boxing-style gloves, chest protectors and headgear, the combatant attempts to topple his opponent out of the marked arena using a combination of punches, kicks and throws. It is aggressive and frenetic, with bouts usually consisting of three two-minute rounds.
The second discipline, taolu, sees competitors perform a choreographed routine in front of five judges who score each performance on a scale of one to 10. Some routines are executed bare-handed, while others involve the use of swords or spears. This is gymnastics with attitude, a sublime fusion of kung-fu and ballet.
Taolu, in all its guises, is the predominant form of wushu, and over the decades it has become established in 86 countries, including the United States, where the presiding body is the United States of America Wushu- Kungfu Federation (http://www.usawkf.org). The global popularity of wushu is enhanced by blockbuster movies featuring the former wushu champion, Li Lian-jie, better known as Jet Li. Among Li’s most famous films is the action-packed Shaolin Temple trilogy, set in the real-life Buddhist monastery of Shaolin (http://www.shaolin.org.cn), where for centuries monks have practiced wushu as part of their quest for enlightenment.
Wushu is also featured in hit movies Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and House of Flying Daggers, further bolstering the sport’s exotic mystique. With its marriage of grace and power, physical exertion and mental serenity, wushu continues to attract converts, especially in Western countries where it offers an antidote to the stresses of modern life. In fact, it’s estimated that 80 percent of wushu practitioners are non-Asian.
But back to the Olympics conundrum: Encouraged by its increasingly global appeal, China has persistently lobbied for wushu to be accorded official Olympic status. When the Olympic Committee named Beijing as the site of the 2008 Olympic Games, China hoped wushu would finally be included as an Olympic sport or, at the very least, as a demonstration sport.
Unmoved by pleas for its inclusion, Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, stuck to a commitment to limit the number of Olympic sports to 28.
So began a process of political agility worthy of the wushu arena.
Call it a happy coincidence or a skillful compromise, in August at the precise time Beijing is hosting the Olympic Games, the city will also be staging the 2008 Olympic Wushu Tournament. Though it’s not an official part of the Games, the tournament does have the blessing of the IOC. Yin and yang.
Read This Next
Park Hyatt Washington
2008
Dec 10, 2012All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All

Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Jul 16, 2025Third Ship Announced for Holland America’s Northern European Routes
Three’s the charm, and 2027 will see Holland America Line’s introduction of Zuiderdam, its third ship dedicated to the Northern European region. That’s good news, given this part of the world — which includes both Iceland and Greenland — continues to rank as a top cruise destination.
Sponsored Content
Smarter Business Travel: 12 Tips from IHG Business Edge
For small- and mid-sized businesses, travel is often a necessary part of growth — helping to strengthen client relationships, explore new markets and attend key industry events. But with rising costs and limited resources, keeping business travel efficient and budget-friendly is more important than ever.
eFlyer Reviews
Jul 16, 2025Hotel Saint Augustine Review
Blending with its Montrose neighborhood like the indigenous and cultivated plants hugging the property’s walkways, the newly built Hotel Saint Augustine opened mid-January 2025. The first Bunkhouse hotel in Houston, Texas, is easily mistaken for garden apartments. Seventy-one guest rooms and suites encompass a tree-lined block. The hotel’s buildings are only two stories tall and also house a lobby, lounge, restaurant and event space. Tucked into a corner of the grounds sits a circular outdoor pool.
eFlyer News
Jul 16, 2025UNESCO Adds New Sites to World Heritage List
At UNESCO’s 47th World Heritage Convention, it announced 26 new inscribed properties to its World Heritage list, with many sites reflecting a greater focus on conservation and the natural environment.
Sponsored Content
Sail Unique with Explora Journeys
SAIL UNIQUE: A New Chapter in Luxury Ocean Travel Imagine a place where modern European elegance meets the rhythm of the sea — where time slows down, and every detail is crafted to inspire connection and quiet indulgence. This is Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean brand from MSC Group created to redefine how we explore the world.
eFlyer News
Jul 16, 2025TSA to End Shoes-Off Policy on Domestic Flights
On July 8, the Department of Homeland Security announced a new policy to allow passengers traveling through domestic airports to keep their shoes on while passing through security screening at TSA checkpoints.
Global City Guidebook: Phoenix
North America / United States
Jul 16, 2025Daily
Jul 16, 2025San Diego’s Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara Debuts Renovated Villas
Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara in San Diego sports a fresh California coastal style thanks to a recent $22 million transformation. This exclusive community specializes in Villa & Residence rentals, and offers a unique resort-like experience for travelers and locals alike.
Sponsored Content
Royal Air Maroc Introduces Groundbreaking Safety Video: A Captivating Invitation to Discover Moroccan Heritage
Royal Air Maroc continues to elevate the passenger experience with the launch of its new in-flight safety video — a cinematic journey that seamlessly blends essential safety instructions with a celebration of Moroccan cultural heritage.
Daily
Jul 16, 2025American Express Announces Plans for Centurion Lounge at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
American Express recently announced plans to debut a new Centurion Lounge at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, set to open in Concourse E in 2026. Eligible card members will have access to more than 1,400 lounges worldwide, including 29 Centurion Lounges.
ShareThis