China’s speed skating team is gearing up for the 2023-2024 ISU Speed Skating World Cup with rigorous training and a strategic mindset, as they recently demonstrated in an open training session at the Capital Skating Oval in Beijing. The team, under the guidance of head coach Li Yan, is focusing on instilling a champion mentality among its young athletes, aiming to elevate their performance on the international stage.
The World Cup season, an international tournament comprising six events, kicks off on Friday in Obihiro, Japan, and will culminate on February 4 in Quebec City, Canada. The series is a grueling test of skill and endurance, where the skater with the highest points in each distance is crowned the World Cup winner. The Chinese team is set to depart for Japan for the first leg, carrying high hopes and ambitions.
Li Yan, reflecting on the team’s recent accomplishments and future prospects, noted the significant progress made over the past year. The goal is not just to enhance technical skills but also to nurture a mindset befitting champions. This approach is seen as key to achieving top results in the highly competitive world of speed skating.
The team is led by Gao Tingyu, who made history at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games by winning China’s first gold medal in men’s speed skating in the 500m event, also setting an Olympic record. This victory has served as an inspiration and a benchmark for the team’s aspirations.
China’s prowess in speed skating is now extending beyond short distances. The team has made significant strides in medium- and long-distance races. In the women’s 500m, 1000m, 1500m, 3000m, and 5000m events, four Chinese skaters have qualified in each category. Similarly, in the men’s 500m, 1000m, and 1500m, four skaters have secured their spots. Additionally, two skaters will compete in the men’s 5,000m and 10,000m, events where China did not qualify in the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Coach Li Yan is focused on breaking new ground in these long-distance events and improving the team’s overall standings. A crucial aspect of this strategy is enhancing the athletes’ ability to compete across multiple events, aligning with the evolving trends in speed skating.
The team has also welcomed international expertise, with coaches Jan Bos from the Netherlands and Alexander Rumyantsev from Russia joining to provide additional guidance. Their presence brings a global perspective to the team’s training and strategy.
Veteran skater Li Qishi, who claimed her first World Cup victory in 2014, sees the influx of young talent as a rejuvenating force for the team. These young athletes are poised to bring fresh energy and new perspectives to the sport.
The upcoming World Cup in Beijing, the first major international tournament at the “Ice Ribbon” since the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, is eagerly anticipated. As a legacy of Beijing 2022, the venue has been opened to the public post-Games, further fostering the sport’s growth in China.
This event offers a unique opportunity for Chinese skaters to excel on home ice, revisiting the electrifying atmosphere of the Olympic Games. It also underscores the broader trend of leveraging Beijing 2022’s legacy to host more international winter sports events in China, providing invaluable exposure and experience for the country’s athletes.
In the upcoming months, China will host several major events, including the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Beijing and the third leg of the 2023-24 ISU Short Track Speed Skating World Cup. These events, along with others like the FIS Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard Big Air World Cup and the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, are not just competitions but stepping stones for China’s winter sports athletes to achieve global recognition and success.
READ MORE: