Shanghai to host multiple international sporting events in May

A wave of international sporting events will be held in Shanghai this month, including the Shanghai Longines Global Champions Tour, the Tour of Chongming Island International Cycling Race, and the IAAF Shanghai Diamond League.

First held in 2014, and now one of the world's most prestigious equestrian events, the Shanghai Longines Global Champions Tour will take place at Shanghai World Expo Equestrian Park from May 3 to 5, where top riders will compete for the highest prize money over the biggest fences.

From May 9 to 11, the annual Tour of Chongming Island sees the UCI Women's World Tour come to the ecological island once again. Chongming is the 10th stop of this year's 23-round Tour. It is also the first multi-day competition, which will represent a huge challenge for the riders.

The following week sees the IAAF Shanghai Diamond League at Shanghai Stadium, with the participation of local hero Xie Wenjun sure to excite the fans. Last month, Xie scooped gold in the men's 110m hurdles at the Asian Athletics Championships in a time of 13.21s, beating the competition record of 13.22s set by Liu Xiang in 2011.

With China's athletics scene having developed rapidly in recent years, other talking points in Shanghai include whether 100m sprinter Su Bingtian will take gold, whether shot putter Gong Lijiao will be able to challenge her personal best, and whether javelin thrower Lu Huihui can beat her own championship record of 65.83m.

Other sporting events to take place in Shanghai include the 2019 Hyundai Archery World Cup from May 6 to 12, and with the final round of group stage matches of the 2019 AFC Champions League set to be played this month, it remains to be seen whether Shanghai SIPG, who currently sit second in their group, will progress to the competition's knockout stages.