The opening of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Friday was hailed as a triumph, with athletes and spectators alike praising the ceremony and expressing excitement for the week-long event.
Beyond the spectacular opening ceremony, the Games are expected to play a significant role in promoting China's winter sports industry and unlock new opportunities for growth and investment.
"It feels as if I was there in person. This is not just a sports event but also a showcase of our ice and snow culture and the enduring spirit of winter sports," said Liu Dongmei, coach of Mishan City Children's Sports School.
As the host nation, China has sent a delegation of 170 athletes to compete in all 64 events.
Competing on home soil, Chinese athletes are eager to perform at their best while embodying the spirit of Chinese sportsmanship.
"Participating in the Asian Winter Games in my hometown is both thrilling and an honor. This platform allows athletes to showcase their competitive abilities while fostering exchanges with fellow winter sports athletes across Asia," said Xu Xiaoming, member of the Chinese curling team.
"It's my third time to participate the Asian Winter Games. Being so close to so many top athletes from Asia allows me to better learn from them and build stronger friendships with them. It is crucial for us to promote the future development of winter sports in both China and Asia," said Tang Jialin, member of the Chinese biathlon team.
"It is a great honor to compete in such a grand event. This platform provides me opportunities to learn from and engage with Asia's top winter sports athletes," said Ren Junfei, member of the Chinese figure skating team.
From the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics to the Harbin Asian Winter Games, China's enthusiasm for winter sports continues to grow, injecting fresh energy into global winter athletics.
By integrating Olympic values with its rich cultural heritage, China is making significant strides in sports development, advancing its goal of becoming a global sports powerhouse and a healthier nation.
"Winter sports play a key role in building a strong sporting nation and Healthy China. We will seize the opportunity presented by the Asian Winter Games to fully leverage its benefits, optimize the post-event use of venues, and maximize its broader impact. Additionally, we aim to drive the growth of the winter sports economy and encourage nationwide participation through accessible events that benefit the public," said Zhuang Shichao, deputy director of Heilongjiang Provincial Sports Bureau.
The Asian Winter Games, themed "Dream of Winter, Love among Asia," have gathered 1,275 competitors from 34 countries and regions, making this the largest ever edition of the Games in terms of overall participation.
Harbin's dazzling opening ceremony sets stage for week-long Asian Winter Games
