Few know of the colourful sports, beyond martial arts and acrobats, that were created in the courts of Imperial China. Just as the Ancient Greeks strove to salute their gods with athletic feats, we see for the first time how the Chinese military strived for physical excellence in honour of their emperors.

From the military warfare exercise known as Choi-Wan, an ancient form of golf, to the ceremonial role of archery, this documentary brings the unique world of ancient Chinese athletes to life.

Through visually dramatic re-enactments, we learn how they lived and how they played their games. Experts reconstruct this little known world from the stories that linger behind China’s rich tapestry of ancient sculptures, paintings, legends and poetry.

This programme also traces the forces that brought China’s sporting traditions into decline and track its subsequent revival, as China ramps its athletes up for the next Olympic Games in Beijing.