Freestyle skiing aerials Olympic champion Xu Mengtao has been named flag bearer for the Chinese delegation at Friday's closing ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games, marking her second time in this prestigious role following her appearance at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics' closing ceremony.
The 34-year-old veteran, who claimed two gold medals and one silver at the ongoing Winter Asian Games, continues to build on her historic triumph at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, where she secured China's first-ever women's aerials Olympic gold.
In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Xu attributed her success to the collective efforts of her team.
"It is the result of generations of dedication and perseverance by Chinese aerialists. Through relentless training in harsh conditions, we embody and pass down not only the spirit of sportsmanship but also the strength, skills, and experience of our predecessors. This inheritance continues, carried forward from one generation of athletes to the next," said Xu.
During the interview, Xu, who competed in the Asian Winter Games 18 years ago, commended the significant advancements in the organization of this year's edition.
"The Games have become more inclusive, with a record 34 countries participating this year. Coverage by new media, the level of competition, athlete enthusiasm, support services at the athletes' village, and on-field performances have all seen remarkable improvements," she said.
She also voiced her determination to compete alongside her teammates throughout this season and at next year's Winter Olympics.
"Each day of training is unique, and I give my all to every training, staying focused on the present while keeping my larger goals in sight. No matter the scale of the competition, I strive to deliver my best performance. I also feel a deep sense of responsibility — to both leading the young athletes on our team and my own dreams. My greatest hope is that at the Winter Olympics in Milan, we will once again see our national flag raised and hear our anthem play as we stand atop the podium," Xu said.
The closing ceremony will consist of artistic performances at the main venue, the Harbin International Conference, Exhibition, and Sports Center, and the extinguishing of the cauldron at the sub-venue, the Harbin Ice and Snow World Park, the world's largest ice-and-snow theme park, on Friday.
It is the second time for Harbin to host the Asian Winter Games, after doing so for the tournament's third edition in 1996. Over 1,200 athletes from 34 countries and regions across Asia have competed in 64 events across six sports, making this edition the largest in terms of participating delegations and athletes.
Xu Mengtao named China's flagbearer at Asian Winter Games closing ceremony
