China's amateur skiers take to slopes for Beijing 2022

2020-09-21 03:41:42 GMT2020-09-21 11:41:42(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

BEIJING, Sept. 21(Xinhuanet) -- Skiing in China is growing. Beijing’s Olympic organizers aim to get 300 million people participating in winter sports as part of their 2022 bid.

In light of these developments, and recent enthusiasm for skiing in China, Xinhuanet talked exclusively to Chinese amateur skiers, to know more about why they fell in love with skiing and get their perspective on the growth of the sport.

'The reason I like skiing is really simple.' says Zhang Yifan, 31, from Beijing. 'It's about meeting cheerful and interesting people you probably wouldn't meet in everyday life.'

'It's a sport that in a way represents freedom. When we ski, we can feel really free, I also feel as if I am challenging myself to become better.'

According to ski amateurs, the excitement of racing down the piste may be as pure as the mountain snow or as bracing as an Arctic chill. However, getting good at skiing is extremely challenging.

‘The feeling I got when skiing was a kind of happiness which I hadn’t felt in a long time.’

Miao Le, 40, also an avid paraglider, diver and horse rider, stated.

‘As the slope level gets harder, it becomes not so simple, and you actually need to have skills to practice. Learning becomes a new kind of happiness. Every time a new movement is practiced, the joy is as pure as that of a child.’

On the often considerable cost of skiing, Miao noted, ‘It is true that the people involved in skiing are those with a certain material foundation to do so.’

When asked about the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, most of our amateur skiers were enthusiastic, expecting the games to drive interest among young people.

“For the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, I believe that many domestic skiers are looking forward to it and are proud of it.”

Commented Bian Xing, 38, also from Beijing.

‘Domestic skiers will be able to share contacts with international skiers.’….. ‘This is a very rare opportunity, and it will also make the domestic skiing level rise sharply.’

‘I also hope very much that I can become one of the Winter Olympic volunteers, so that I can contribute my own modest strength to my country.’

And while the sport of skiing in China is still developing, at least at the amateur level, Chinese skiers are hopeful for the growth Beijing 2022 can bring.

‘At present, the age group of Chinese skiing is mainly 30 and above. I expect more young people aged six to fifteen will join in coming years.’

Li Weisi, 39, originally from Hubei, said.

‘ It [Chinese skiing] is like a child. I hope it can grow up healthily.’

 

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