Zhong Qixin is set to guide China’s sport climbing team as the coach for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. In a heartfelt interview with CGTN Sports Scene’s Zhu Mandan, Zhong shared that coaching provides him a way to compensate for his own regrets of not competing in the Olympic Games during his athletic career.
\"As an athlete, I certainly feel like I'm missing out,\" Zhong expressed. \"But as a coach of the national team, it's a great opportunity to be involved in the Olympics in a different capacity. I think it's a new challenge for me. Although I was not able to participate in the Olympic Games when I was an athlete, as a coach, I can make up for my regrets if I grasp this opportunity well. I have more responsibility now. As an athlete, I just needed to be myself, but as a coach, I need not only to be strict with myself, but also to lead the team and manage athletes. In this way, our team can go higher and further.\"
China's athletes have secured seven spots in sport climbing for the 2024 Olympics and will compete in all four disciplines: men's speed, women's speed, men's combined, and women's combined, when the Games commence in the French capital in late July.
Luo Zhilu and Zhang Yuetong will represent in the women's combined event in Paris. Pan Yufei will compete in the men's combined, Long Jinbao and Wu Peng in the men's speed, while Deng Lijuan and Zhou Yafei will participate in the women's speed.
\"At this stage, I think our climbers are actively improving,\" Zhong continued. \"Everyone's physical state and competitive form are part of a normal rhythm. I hope they can maintain this good form until the Paris Olympics. I believe they will do well in the upcoming events. Now, as we enter the final month, we need to summarize the deficiencies and shortcomings found in the recent competitions, and solve the problems in training. I hope we will try to get all the details right at the Olympics and achieve our dream in Paris.\"
Reference(s):
Coaching makes up for Zhong Qixin's regrets in Olympic sport climbing
cgtn.com
