The 14th China National Winter Games concluded on Tuesday, providing a platform for athletes from all over the country to compete at a high level and providing a boost to China's ice and snow economy.
Hulin Buil, China, February 27 (Xinhua) – On February 17, Winter Olympic short track speed skating champion Wu Dajin lit the cauldron, marking the start of the 14th National Winter Games. I told you. The competition drew attention to the outstanding performances and unwavering determination of athletes from across the country.
The tournament in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region concluded on Tuesday this week, and the participants left with unforgettable memories. China, a winter sports powerhouse, has proven itself and pushed its ice and snow economy to new heights.
great game
Liaoning's Wu Yu, who shortened his own national record in the men's 10,000-meter speed skating race to win gold, noticed that more competitive athletes were emerging in the event. “It's good to see more Chinese skaters progressing in long-distance events. I believe we can shine on the international stage,” Wu said.
The 14th competition introduced a youth category, providing a platform for young talents to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience.
Tim Chen, a 15-year-old player on Hong Kong's junior ice hockey team, traveled thousands of kilometers to Hulunbuir for the tournament. Although he did not make it to the Junior Men's Ice Hockey semi-finals, Tim said, “I learned a lot from competing at a high level and it was a new start for my career.''
Although Hong Kong finished in fifth place, coach Leo Kang expressed satisfaction with his team's progress. He noted the maturity and constant passion of the players on the rink and praised the improved organization, facilities and medical services.
The tournament also featured extensive sporting activities that reflected local culture and traditions. Mr. Du Bojun, Director of the Sports Bureau of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, highlighted the success of more than 240 winter activities, which attracted about 250,000 participants and injected new energy into the development of winter sports in the region.
China succeeded in getting 300 million people to participate in winter sports by the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, and continues to attract even more participants. Yu Haiyan, deputy director of the China Winter Sports Management Center, emphasized that the popularity of ice and snow sports is increasing nationwide, and social and technological advances have also increased enthusiasm in the warmer southern regions. he pointed out.
high level competition
An important preparatory step for athletes aiming for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, the 14th National Winter Games included all the events of the upcoming Olympic Games and provided ample opportunities for skill development . Wang Lei, director of the China Winter Sports Management Center, asserted that the rules of the competition are fully consistent with those of the Winter Olympics.
Britain's Sarah Henderson has more than 15 years of experience as a short track speed skating referee and served as the main referee at the event. Impressed by her Chinese passion for winter sports, she acknowledged her title and China's longstanding strength in winning World Cups. Ms. Henderson emphasized that there are many young talents in China and expressed her excitement for the future.
Olympic champion Su Yiming won two gold medals in men's snowboard slopestyle and big air at this year's competition. The 20-year-old continued his momentum after winning the FIS World Cup in Beijing last December. Despite making a mistake in his first run, Su aims to cope with the pressure and adjust his mindset towards his future success, and is looking forward to the best at Milan-Cortina 2026. I'm looking forward to doing my best.
Canadian halfpipe snowboarder Derek Livingston ended his 15-year career last year and turned to coaching. As the freshman coach for Chinese snowboarder Liu Jiayu, a four-time Olympian and silver medalist at Pyeongchang 2018, they teamed up to pursue Olympic success.
Even though Liu has only won a silver medal at the Olympics, Livingston believes she can achieve even greater things. Having practiced her new tricks and honed her running, Livingston believes Liu will be a strong medal candidate in future competitions and the next Olympics.
Rising ice economy
The Beijing Winter Olympics two years ago left a lasting legacy on the development of winter sports in China and stimulated the national ice and snow economy.
Li Kemin, director of the Tianjin Municipal Sports Bureau, said that Tianjin established a winter sports management center in 2018 and invested more than 40 million yuan (US$5.6 million) annually in winter sports training, research, medical care and other related services. He introduced that he was doing so. .
“About 150 athletes from Tianjin participated in the National Winter Games,” Li said. “With the Beijing Winter Olympics as an opportunity, the development of winter sports in Tianjin has progressed rapidly.”
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach also highly praised the legacy of Beijing 2022, saying, “The contribution of sports in general, and the winter sports industry in particular, to China's GDP is increasing.”
According to organizers, the competition zone of the Inner Mongolia Games has attracted more than 13 million visitors, generating more than 10 billion yuan in total revenue for the sports, culture and tourism industries.
Yang Xuedong, Economic Director of the National Sports Administration, said, “In 2023, China will host the 31st FISU World University Games in Chengdu, the Hangzhou Asian Games, and the first student (youth) competition in Guangxi.” said. Region: The total amount of sports and related consumption in the host city exceeded 100 billion yuan. ”
Harbin, the capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang province, is set to host the 9th Asian Winter Games next year, and enthusiasm for winter sports and the local economy will continue to grow.
Professor Bai Yufei of Beijing Sport University said, “A customized approach to revitalize the ice and snow industry in different regions across the country will unlock consumption potential and promote regional development in the process of developing China into a sports powerhouse. We can accelerate it.” ■
