In the latest episode of the Talk Sports series, Sarah Lewis, former FIS Secretary General and the first woman to hold the position, joined CGTN Sports Scene's Greg Laffradi to delve into the promising potential of the upcoming Asian Winter Games.
The ninth edition of the Asian Winter Games is set to take place in Harbin, located in the northeast of China's Heilongjiang Province, from February 7 to 14. While the event may not match the scale of the Winter Olympic Games, Lewis emphasizes its unique appeal and significance.
\"The Asian Winter Games are a special opportunity and a fantastic showcase of winter sport talents from all across Asia,\" Lewis remarked. \"They feature a diverse mix of established winter sports nations like China, Japan, and Korea, alongside emerging sport countries from Central and South Asia. The Asian Winter Games provide a crucial platform for Asian athletes to develop and gain experience in a multi-sport event.\"
China's commitment to winter sports has been evident, especially after hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and Zhangjiakou. The nation set an ambitious goal of engaging 300 million people in winter sports, a target that has not only been met but surpassed. According to a survey released by the National Bureau of Statistics of China in January 2022, over 346 million Chinese people have participated in winter sports since Beijing successfully bid for the 2022 Winter Games.
\"That has certainly been one of the remarkable positives from hosting the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, without any question,\" Lewis noted. \"The commitment of everybody involved in China made this really the success factor. Consequently, China's efforts across winter sports development have been absolutely remarkable. The goal of getting 300 million people involved was ambitious, but it was met clearly and surpassed.\"
Reference(s):
Talk Sports: Former FIS chief on significance of Asian Winter Games
cgtn.com
