Winter sports gaining popularity across China as Asian Winter Games approaches

China

Winter sports gaining popularity across China as Asian Winter Games approaches

2024-10-31 02:03 Last Updated At：07:27

People's enthusiasm for winter sports is on the rise across China as the 9th Asian Winter Games approaches.

The 2025 Asian Winter Games, which will open in Harbin City of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on February 7, 2025, is the first major international ice and snow event hosted by China since the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

The event started its 100-day countdown on Wednesday.

On Sunday, a themed fitness activity for children and teenagers was held at an ice rink in the host city, including a figure skating program, where young participants showed off their graceful dance moves, and an ice hockey match.

In northwest China's Xinjaing Uygur Autonomous Region, the Keketuohai International Ski Resort in Altay Prefecture, which opened to skiers on Oct. 20, is the first outdoor ski resort in the country to resume operations this winter. Snow sport enthusiasts from across the country are gathering here to enjoy the slopes with the resort welcoming more than 3,000 skiers and snowboarders a day.

"I feel pretty good for my first run today. The snow was powdery and the overall experience was good," said Hu Changze, a skier from Shanghai.

In the northern provinces of Hebei, Jilin and Liaoning, the falling temperatures mean major ski resorts can start snowmaking ahead of their anticipated opening in early November.

"More than 50 snowmaking vehicles are working together. This year, we have added children's exclusive snow trails and snowboard teaching areas to maximize the ice and snow entertainment experience," said Zhang Dongxu, the person in charge of a ski resort in Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province.

Industry data show that China's ice and snow sports venues and facilities are rapidly growing in scale. By 2023, a total of 2,847 winter sports venues were operating in the country, driving the rapid development of the equipment industry and other related sectors. The output value of China's winter sports industry is expected to exceed one trillion yuan (about 140.5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2025.

Milano-Cortina Paralympics reveal opening, closing themes as Games draw near

The organizing committee of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games has unveiled the titles, creative visions, and first talents of the opening and closing ceremonies, as Thursday marked 50 days before the event officially gets underway.

Scheduled from March 6 to 15 across multiple Italian cities, the Games will bring together 665 athletes from 50 countries and regions to compete for 79 gold medals across six sporting disciplines.

The opening ceremony, titled "Life in Motion," will be staged at the historic Arena di Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, presenting a tribute to change and transformation that seeks to redefine disability through a new harmony between people and the environment.

"I paid close attention to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which I consider one of the three or four most beautiful in the history of Olympic ceremonies. This time at the ancient Arena di Verona, we will place greater emphasis on showcasing the human element," the ceremonies' artistic director Alfredo Accatino told a Chinese reporter at the event.

The closing ceremony, themed "Italian Souvenir," will be held on March 15 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, guiding athletes, volunteers, and fans through a journey that captures the emotions and memories of the Games after days of competition and achievement.

Craig Spence, the International Paralympic Committee's Chief Brand and Communications Officer, believes that Italy will deliver "the best Paralympic Games" following the benchmark set by the Beijing Winter Paralympics in 2022.

"I think what China did in Beijing has really set the benchmark for all future teams competing in the Paralympic Winter Games in terms of performance. That's why I think Milano-Cortina will be the best Paralympic Games we've ever seen for sports," he said.