Beijing 2022 pairs figure skating champion Han Cong, fresh off carrying the Olympic Council of Asia flag at the Asian Winter Games Opening Ceremony, opened up about his evolving career and the future of cold-weather athletics in a revealing interview with Sports Scene.
From Podium to Progress
Han, who claimed gold with partner Sui Wenjing at China's first Winter Olympics, called his flag-bearing role \"a bridge between generations of athletes.\" He emphasized the growing diversity of winter sports participation across Asia: \"We're seeing ice rinks in Singapore and ski resorts in the UAE – this continent is rewriting what's possible.\"
Legacy Beyond the Ice
The skating star hinted at retirement plans focused on youth development programs: \"My next jump won't be on ice, but in empowering young athletes.\" He highlighted digital platforms as key to engaging Gen Z fans, pointing to 63% year-over-year growth in livestreamed winter sports across Asian markets.
Cultural Cold Front
Discussing regional collaborations, Han noted: \"South Korea's speed skating tech combined with Japan's training facilities could create a new gold standard.\" When asked about retirement regrets, he smiled: \"I'll miss the adrenaline, but not the -20°C practice days.\"
Reference(s):
Talk Sports: Olympic champion Han on retirement, winter sports in Asia
cgtn.com
