China is clamping tighter on its bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics by promoting winter sports among the youth. (Photo : Reuters)
A six-day winter youth games have been set at the northernmost province of Heilongjiang in China. The sporting event, which was attended by young athletes from all over the country, aims to develop the participants in winter sports in an Olympic level.
Formally called the 2015 "Future Star" National Sunny Youth Winter Sports Meet, the event hopes to send a strong message of China's readiness to host the Winter Olympics in 2022.
Beijing, the country's capital, has expressed its desire to host the major sporting event, six months ahead of the committee's decision.
To show its capability to hold such a huge tournament, the national youth games would be held at the Jingpo Lake Park located at Mudanjiang in Heliongjiang Province starting Feb. 11.
An estimated 600 athletes from 31 provinces across the nation would participate in the six-day event organized by the Ministry of Education in partnership with the General Administration of Sport of China and the Communist Youth League.
Among the sporting events lined up for the participants are ice hockey, skating and a five-a-side snow football tourney. The organizers have also included snowmobile racing, bobsled rides and lake fishing among the official activities.
China Sports Administration Juvenile Department Director Guo Jianjun is hopeful that the event would catch the attention of the Olympic committee.
"It's an ideal opportunity to demonstrate how warmly Chinese young people are embracing the Olympic movement to support the bid," he said.
Meanwhile, former Olympic skater Zhang Hong is looking forward for the positive impact of the sporting event to the young participants.
"When I was a child, I was passionate about ice skating and worked hard at it. An interest in sport is the best way to teach and motivate youngsters to take part," shared the Sochi Olympic medalist.
Aside from the interest in sports, the Ministry of Education hopes that the young students would be encouraged to take their fitness seriously.
MOE's Physical Education, Health and Arts Department official Lu Xun said: "The event will inspire students to exercise even in winter, and will help them develop good habits in taking exercise throughout the year."
In addition to the sporting events, seminars and talks about the Olympics, including its history, values and exercise skills, would also be held at the youth games.
