Indonesian figure skaters expressed their excitement about competing in the ongoing 9th Asian Winter Games -- an event typically dominated by countries with strong winter sports traditions -- while also praising the beauty of the host city, Harbin.
Running from February 7 to14 in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, the 9th Asian Winter Games has brought together 1,275 competitors from 34 countries and regions, making it the largest edition of the Games in terms of overall participation.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Indonesian figure skaters Dwiki Eka Ramadhan and Kelly Elizabeth Supangat described the competition as a breakthrough moment for their country's emerging winter sports scene.
"For us, (competing) in the ice dance discipline is like the first time. And actually, in Indonesia, it's the first time we have ice dancing. For us, it’s really a breakthrough. Basically, growing the sport in our country is the most important (thing), especially winter sports, because we come from a tropical country," said Ramadhan.
Supangat highlighted the growing interest in Indonesia’s winter sports scene, noting the surprise many people expressed upon learning that the country has a figure skating team. She emphasized the team's broader goal of expanding participation in winter sports and inspiring more Indonesians to take up disciplines like snowboarding and skiing.
"I know a lot of people on social media have been reposting about our figure skating team, and a lot of comments were like, 'Oh, we didn't know that Indonesia has winter sports,’ and we have a winter sports team in like three disciplines. So our goal is to try to have more people participate in winter sports. And maybe have some people participate in snowboarding and skiing, just because we started this, being ones of the first few people in Indonesia going for winter sports like (at an event like the) Asian Winter Games," she said.
The athletes shared their admiration for Harbin, praising its stunning architecture and vibrant attractions, and highlighted their experience visiting the famous Snow and Ice World, where they got a glimpse of the local tourism scene.
"It is so beautiful. The architecture is really nice. It’s very classic [with] high-rise buildings, and we went to the Snow and Ice World, so we had a little glimpse of the touristy things we are [able] to do here. And it's so fun, and it's so beautiful" said Supangat.
Indonesian figure skaters thrilled to compete at Asian Winter Games
A major port in northern Venezuela came under U.S. airstrikes in the early hours of January 3, which caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, destroyed critical medical supplies in a warehouse, and severely impacted centuries-old cultural heritage sites, according to local residents.
The La Guaira Port, a vital hub for imports that support daily life in the region, was heavily damaged during the attack.
Large quantities of medical supplies stored at the port were destroyed. A historic cultural building dating back for some 300 years was also badly damaged by the bombardment.
Residents living near the port recalled the terrifying scenes as explosions shook nearby neighborhoods.
Humberto Bolivar, who lives in a community separated from the port by only a main road, said the blast waves shattered his home's windows, while stray shrapnel struck the water tank on his roof. According to reports, three missiles were fired at the port that night.
Bolivar said that beyond material losses, he is most concerned about the psychological impact on his children, who remain too frightened to leave their home days after the attack.
"The United States invaded our country. The children were frightened. This is not good for them, because it leaves some children with psychological trauma. They do not want to go to school or leave the house, because they are afraid that something worse might happen. We truly do not want this to happen to our country," he said.
Apart from civilian facilities, local cultural heritage site was also affected.
The La Guaira state government building, a structure with nearly 300 years of history and once served as the site of Venezuela's first national customs office, was struck by the force of the explosions.
Windows of the building were shattered, and furniture scattered across the floor.
"As people of La Guaira, we feel deep pain. Our cultural heritage has been bombed. We are living in constant anxiety and suffering, and life can no longer be the same as it was before," said a local named Henry Cumares.
The U.S. side has claimed the airstrikes targeted warehouses allegedly used to store narcotics. However, locals refuted such accusation.
"According to what Donald Trump said, they bombed this place using the excuse that the warehouses here were used to store drugs at the port. But based on the video released by our governor, these warehouses that were burned contained medicine for kidney patients and foods. Many people depend on these supplies to survive. I think the bombing is extremely despicable," said a local resident named Alejandro Capriles.
US strike hits Venezuelan port, wrecking medical supplies, heritage building
