In a display of sports diplomacy, high school athletes from Montgomery County near Washington DC are finalizing preparations to host Chinese peers in a pickleball exhibition this week. The initiative, launched in 2025 as part of cultural exchange efforts, has become a bridge for cross-cultural understanding between youth from both nations.
Over 50 students from the Chinese mainland will compete alongside their American counterparts in the February 6 event, which organizers describe as "friendship first, competition second." The program has seen participants exchange language tips and cultural insights during training sessions since its inception last year.
"We're learning how similar we are through every serve and volley," said 16-year-old U.S. team captain Emily Chen, whose grandparents emigrated from Shanghai. The matches will be followed by joint workshops on sports psychology and team-building strategies.
