A figure skater executes her spin at the U.S. 2017 Championship. (Photo : Getty Images)
Some Chinese team officials think that 2018 Winter Games is the best preparation for the 2022 Beijing Winter Games.
Liu Chengliang, deputy director of the Winter Sports Management of China's General Administration of Sport said this as the athletes began preparations for next month's Asian Winter Games and the Olympic Games next year in Pyeongchang.
"The Pyeongchang Winter Games will be a great opportunity for Chinese athletes to accumulate experience and prepare for the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. Meanwhile, we will also do our utmost to get good results," said Liu in a recent interview.
Since 2022 Winter Games were awarded jointly to Beijing and Zhangjiakou in July 2015, China has launched new national team programs in snow sports including bobsled, skeleton, ski jumping, Nordic combined, and snow sports.
Liu said they have hired over 30 foreign coaches to help the national team, especially newly founded ones. Some athletes were also sent abroad for training.
They trying their best to help athletes improve their performance and abilities, in the hope that more athletes compete in more events at the next two Winter Games.
"We hope to see more Chinese representations in the Pyeongchang and Beijing Winter Games," said Liu.
China reported that under the guidance of star coach Li Yan, Chinese short track speed skaters, who have won six gold medals at the last two winter Olympics, are set to be strong medal contenders again in Pyeongchang.
While the skaters are not yet in their top shape right now, Li is optimistic that they will be well prepared in a year's time for the Olympics.
Chinese athletes are also aiming medals in figure skating, snowboarding halfpipe, curling, and freestyle skiing aerials.
