China has chosen its athletic ambassadors for the ninth Asian Winter Games opening ceremony, with speed skater Ning Zhongyan and freestyle skier Liu Mengting set to carry the delegation's flag in Harbin. The announcement highlights China's rising stars in winter sports as the country prepares to host the event for the first time since 1996.
Ning Zhongyan, 24, brings a legacy of breakthroughs to the ice. In 2019, he became the first Chinese athlete to claim gold in the men's 1,500m at the ISU Speed Skating World Cup, smashing Astana's track record. His 2021 victory in Calgary's 1,000m event marked another historic first for Chinese speed skating. \\"Carrying the flag represents both honor and responsibility,\\" Ning told state media ahead of Friday's ceremony.
Liu Mengting, 21, embodies the new generation of Chinese winter athletes. The freestyle skier earned her first World Cup podium in March 2024 with a silver in Tignes, before clinching gold at January's Klagenfurt World Cup. Her signature switch 1440-degree rotations have made her a fan favorite in big air competitions.
The Harbin event marks China's growing influence in winter sports since hosting the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Over 300 athletes from 22 Asian countries and regions will compete through February 26, with the opening ceremony featuring advanced holographic projections celebrating \\"Ice and Snow Silk Road\\" cultural themes.
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Flagbearers announced for China at Asian Winter Games opening ceremony
cgtn.com