China’s 14th National Winter Games in Inner Mongolia concluded with a successful and vibrant closing ceremony. The Games featured 35 delegations from across China, with 30, including provinces as far south as Guangdong and Yunnan, winning medals. The event was praised for its timing during the Chinese Lunar New Year and winter break, increasing exposure to winter sports and inspiring passion, especially among the younger generation.
Yu Haiyan, deputy director of China’s Winter Sports Management Center, highlighted the Games as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. The infrastructure for ice and snow sports has expanded to southern regions of the country, ensuring continued growth and interest in winter sports. The National Winter Games were a crucial moment for China’s top athletes, including Olympic champion Su Yiming, who secured two gold medals in men’s snowboard slopestyle and Big Air. These Games served as a vital preparation step for the upcoming 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, covering all events featured in the Olympics and providing athletes with opportunities to refine their skills. Zhang Xin from the General Administration of Sport of China emphasized that the Games showcased China’s post-Winter Olympics achievements in winter sports development. Plans include refining policies to encourage sustained focus on winter sports growth across provinces, regions, and cities, aiming for continuous improvement in competitiveness and talent cultivation. Su Yiming expressed determination to elevate Chinese winter sports to the world stage.
Source – CGTN