As the 9th Asian Winter Games came to a close in northeast China's Harbin, delegates and athletes from around the world shared their most significant impressions and key takeaways from the week-long event.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Nathan Edward Small, a team official of China's Hong Kong delegation, described the Games as highly impressive and on par with other major tournaments in terms of competitiveness.
"It's just kind of feels like a more compartmentalized Olympics, it's put on by the OCs of all these different countries. So, it's quite the grand display, and it's just as competitive as any event we've ever played in. But it's pretty special to be here in China as the host country, and be competing here, and for us to be doing as well as we are right now," he explained. Meshal Alajmi, the deputy chief of Kuwait's delegation, voiced his satisfaction with the results his team had attained during the Games. "Actually, we are happy about the results. I think we must work more, but for our result, we accept it, because that's the first time I come in here for sports, to be here in Harbin. Before, we are just for ice hockey, but now I think we accept that, but we must work more to be in the position medal," he said. Enkhzaya Ganbat, a member of the Mongolian National Curling Team, expressed her delight and enjoyment in participating in the Games. "I think overall, I played great. I wasn't expecting anything because our training was not that good, but when I came here and played, I was playing really good, and I was really shocked. We didn't get any wins, but I think this was a great experience for me," she said.
Running from Feb 7-14, the Harbin Asian Winter Games have brought together more than 1,270 athletes from 34 countries and regions, making them the largest ever edition of the regional sports event in terms of overall participation.
Athletes, officials hail success of 9th Asian Winter Games
