Strategic Considerations and Path Selection for Integrating Sports into Economic and Social Development During the 15th Five-Year Plan Period

During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China's economy and society have fully transitioned to a stage of high-quality development, and the functional positioning and intrinsic value of sports are undergoing profound changes. Based on theoretical analysis and practical cases, this paper systematically explores the function of sports as an economic growth engine, its role in promoting social harmony and stability, and its function in shaping cultural soft power. It provides an in-depth analysis of the practical challenges faced in integrating sports into the economic and social process, including the insufficient social awareness and cultural atmosphere, lack of the resource investment and factor support, the immature sports integration systems, and the rigid management systems and mechanisms. The paper proposes an operational mechanism centered on event-driven promotion, consumption stimulation, industry integration, social empowerment, and technology-driven development. It also designs a collaborative approach for sports integration into economic and social development from four dimensions—public participation, social support, market-driven forces, and government guidance—with the aim of providing theoretical reference and practical guidance for the high-quality development of sports during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.