In 2001, Gavert Waag, general manager of Nordic Ways, found Changchun, with its unique geographic condition and environmental surroundings, a suitable place for cross-country ski. With the coordination of officials from the Changchun government as well as Swedish ambassador Borge Ljunggren, Nordic Ways held the first Vasaloppet China on March 16, 2003 at the Jingyuetan national forest park in Changchun with the participation of some 750 athletes across the world.

Till now, Vasaloppet China has been successfully held four times in Chanchun, attracting tens of thousands domestic and foreign athletes from 25 countries, including some 20,000 athletes and fans this year. While Vasaloppet China has become an integrated major international festival during the years, host Changchun has been known more and more by the European countries, winning up-and-up international reputation.

For three consecutive years at the ceremony held by Vasaloppet Sweden, the delegates of Changchun were all invited first to make presentation among the representatives from 50 countries of the world. The European Broadcasting Union has made special features of Vasaloppet China for three consecutive years to promote Changchun to nearly 30 countries. As the scale and level of Vasaloppet China improve steadily and continuously, the officials at Vasaloppet headquarters even believe that Vasaloppet China in Changchun will be the best Vasaloppet race in the world even beyond Vasaloppet Sweden in three to five years.

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