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Chinese Olympic fans watch the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in a cinema in China. Photo: CCTV

"It is an unprecedented immersive large-screen viewing that allows me to feel the passion for sports pulsating in my veins," said a Chinese Olympic fan after watching the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in a cinema. 

As the Paris Olympic Games are underway, many sports enthusiasts are excited to hear the news that China has introduced Olympic matches to the big screen for the first time, which means that they can now go to cinemas with friends and family members to cheer on Chinese athletes as they compete on the world stage. The move aims to provide a new channel for the audience to appreciate the charm of Chinese athletes, insiders said.

The service will be available in hundreds of cinemas nationwide, according to media reports. Audiences can enjoy a wide range of events such as table tennis, badminton, diving, volleyball, basketball, football, as well as the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.

Several viewers reached by the Global Times lauded this move as a captivating "visual and auditory feast" to appreciate the incredible talent of Olympic athletes in a whole new light.

"Watching the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in the cinema is truly a unique experience. The combination of the large screen and impressive sound system creates an immersive viewing feeling that makes you feel as though you are right there in the midst of the scene," a resident surnamed Lai in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality told the Global Times.

"When the Chinese delegation, led by flagbearers Ma Long and Feng Yu, appeared on the screen, the atmosphere in the cinema was electrifying. The audience erupted into cheers and applause and their love and expectations for Team China are palpable in the air. It was a truly touching moment, showcasing the undeniable charm of sports events," Lai said.

Among the audience were individuals wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the words "Go China," Lai said, noting that watching the Olympics Games in the cinema is vastly distinct from viewing it at home, as there is more interaction and resonance with fellow audience members who share the same passion for sports.

To create a better atmosphere on site, some theaters have taken to distributing Chinese national flags to audience members or showcasing Paris 2024 Olympics mascot Phryge dolls on the seats, the Global Times was told by cinema staff.

One cinema worker in Beijing's Chaoyang district told the Global Times on Monday that reservations for popular domestic sports events such as table tennis and badminton are very hot. "The bookings for the two table tennis matches shown on Monday and Tuesday are already full," he said. 

The staff member also said that there are many audience members calling to inquire about watching the matches, including the schedule and the match details, showing a high level of interest in watching sports events at the cinema.

The public's enthusiastic embrace of the new immersive viewing way of the Olympic Games is a clear reflection of the long-standing attention and passion that the Chinese people have for the Olympics, analysts said.

The deep admiration for the energy and allure of sports not only showcase a profound affection for the centennial Olympic Games, but also symbolize a universal celebration that goes beyond national boundaries and embodies the essence of the Olympic spirit, they said.