Chinese Athletes Gear Up for 2026 Winter Olympics at Asian Winter Games

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Beijing: The 9th Asian Winter Games, as China’s first international multi-winter sports competition following the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, provides a valuable platform for top Chinese athletes to prepare for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. “Many events of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will feature in the 9th Asian Winter Games, so the Asian Winter Games will serve as an important test event for the 2026 Winter Olympics,” said Li Jing, Deputy Director of the General Administration of Sport of China.



According to Namibia Press Agency, Li stated that targeted adjustments have been made to the training preparations and competition procedures, aiming to lay a solid foundation for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Additionally, the team aims to deliver a satisfactory performance to the nation during the Spring Festival. The national short track speed skating squad, a flagship team of China’s winter sports, is rigorously preparing for the upcoming competition. The team’s head coach, Zhang Jing, emphasized the team’s determination to secure gold medals at the Asian Winter Games.



Zhang remarked, “This is the last comprehensive competition before the 2026 Winter Olympics. We will cherish this opportunity, strive to showcase our athletes’ best training conditions, and deliver top performances on the ice.” He also highlighted the importance of embodying the spirit of Chinese sports and the Olympic spirit as part of their participation. Zhang acknowledged the competition’s intensity despite the absence of strong European teams, noting that South Korea, Kazakhstan, and Japan will be their main rivals.



Chinese short track speed skater Sun Long expressed the significance of the competition, stating, “This is an important competition, and we will give it all as part of our preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics.” Meanwhile, the 18-year-old An Xiangyi, a rising star in China’s women’s singles figure skating team, looks forward to competing in the Asian Winter Games. Having defended her title at the 2024 Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy, An aims to do her best, although her participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics remains uncertain.