Chinese Olympic speed skating gold medalist Zhang Hong is targeting to set a new world record in the 1,000-meter event of the sport as she competes in the coming Chinese National Winter Games in Ürümqi, Xinjiang, China.
Xinhuanet reported that "the world records for speed skating were previously set in either Calgary of Canada, which is 1,048 meters above sea level, or Salt Lake City (1,295 meters above sea level) of the United States, according to the International Skating Union," and Zhang is hoping to set a new one in her home nation's 1,650 meters above sea level venue.
The 27-year-old Zhang, who finally put a stop to the country's 34-year anticipation for an Olympic speed skating gold medal after she won the 1,000 meters event during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, expressed that the Xinjiang ice rink is highly probable to be the third skating site that would produce world records.
"This ice rink is located at about 1,600 meters above sea level, which is similar to the altitude of the rinks in Calgary and the Salt Lake City. I hope it will help us produce world-class performances," the Heilongjiang, China native said during a recent interview.
Zhang just finished probably her most successful professional season, winning eight medals in the World Cup series last year and nearly shattered the 1,000 m world record in Calgary, as per ECNS.
"The medals boosted my self-confidence a lot. I came to realize that there is more potential within my body," Zhang said. "I will try her best here at the National Winter Games."
She also expressed enthusiasm in competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics which is set to be held in China's capital, Beijing, even as she will turn 34 years old at that time.
"For me, competing at the Olympics on home soil will be a fantastic experience. So I will try to extend my career as a speed skater until I can't skate any longer," Zhang ended.