As approved by unearthed antiques, China had gymnastic activities 4,000 – 10,000 years ago. The toxophily

performance and lifting of the Ding in the Western Zhou Dynasty (1066 BC. – 771 BC.) are rather mature forms

of sports. In the long river of history, Chinese ancient sports developed and evolved with the development of

economy, politics, and military affairs. Chinese ancient sports has various games, each game vary in different

periods, these games can be roughly classified into following sorts: one sort is for amusement and performance,

for example, swordsmanship and touhu (arrow-toss game) in the Spring and Autumn Period, cuju (Chinese ancient

football) in the Han Dynasty, jicu (polo) in the Tang Dynasty, and bingxi (an amusement on ice) in the Qing

Dynasty. Another sort is for keep fit, for example, daoyin and wuqinxi in the Han Dynasty, and various health

preservation methods came down from the Five Dynasties. The last sort is for military training, for example,

toxophily, drive, long-distance running, as well as sports of multi-functions, such as jiaodi, wushu, and

wrestling.

With sharp national features and oriental charm, with high value in health preservation, medical treatment, and

amusement, Chinese ancient sports developed a school of its own in the long river of history and gradually step

on a way of scientific development, occupies an important place among nations, unceasingly enrich the cultural

treasury of human beings, is a precious fortune of Olympic spirit.

Olympic commemorative coins under the theme of Chinese ancient sports is a reflection of the historical

connection between China and Olympics, and an embodiment of the historical value and real-life significance to

combine the culture of Chinese ancient sports with Olympic sports.