Born in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province in 1988, Zhang Hong is a former athlete who won China's first ever gold medal in speed skating during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
Zhang started practicing short track speed skating since the age of seven. Although she won a national championship, she switched to speed skating in 2008 because she grew too tall.
In September 2011, Zhang Hong joined the professional sports team of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), also known as Team Bayi. In the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, Zhang won the title in the women's speed skating 1000m final. It took her six years to successfully conquer the speed skating field.
In post-game interviews with people.cn, she said she owed all this to her coach and the entire support system.
"This gold medal could not be achieved by me alone or just me and my coach. I need to thank my entire team for this."
Zhang Hong wins the women's 1000m speed skating final during the Sochi Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, February 14, 2014. /CFP
In 2018, Zhang announced her retirement from the professional career, and became a member of the Athletes' Commission in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) where she was the only one with a speed skating background.
In 2020, Zhang was appointed chair of the newly-formed IOC Coordination Commission for the 4th Winter Youth Olympic Games to be held in Gangwon, South Korea in 2024.
As one of the youngest members of the IOC, Zhang admitted she needed much learning. Difficult as it was, her athletic days had provided her with much spiritual heritage to accept her new challenges with perseverance.
"I switched from short track speed skating to speed skating, and suffered much with injuries. But I think if I were to choose again, I would still choose to be an athlete because it taught me to be focused, be persistent, and never give up."
Zhang Hong (R) teaches a child to skate in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China, February 23, 2019. /CFP
In the midst of the global pandemic in 2020, Zhang received China's Youth Award before China's Youth Day, which falls on May 4 every year.
Zhang worked from home during the quarantine, participating online in the preparation for the Beijing Winter Olympics, as well as recording home fitness videos to teach people how to stay healthy at home.
"Sportsmanship is not only reflected in sports, but also in life. We need to adjust ourselves and stay fit both physically and mentally from time to time. This pandemic is a challenge to the world. I hope everyone can come to Beijing in 2022 to celebrate our victory [over the pandemic] together. Just like the light at the end of the tunnel, sports can become the hope in everyone's heart."
(With input from Xinhua News Agency)