One month to go: China in full swing for unprecedented National Winter Games

If you're longing for an up-close encounter with Winter Olympic champions like Su Yiming, Xu Mengtao and Qi Guangpu in all their glory, then look no further than China's 14th National Winter Games. 

With only a month left until the tournament kicks off, the anticipation is reaching new heights for what promises to be a breathtaking display of athletic prowess against a backdrop of enchanting winter scenery.

After an anxiously-awaited four-year hiatus, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first major national winter sports event following the Beijing Winter Olympics is set to entice over 3,700 athletes to converge upon the captivating landscape of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

This grand gathering will showcase an impressive array of eight sports, including figure skating, skiing, biathlon, curling, ice hockey, bobsleigh, luge and ski mountaineering. With a total of 16 disciplines and a staggering 176 specific events, this edition of the Games is poised to be the largest in scale, boasting the highest number of events and the most exacting standards ever witnessed in the history of this sporting extravaganza.

It's worth noting that the qualifiers for the National Winter Games have already commenced, and the spotlight is on Su. The 19-year-old Chinese prodigy has secured a place in the snowboard U-shaped field skills final. As the poster boy for winter sports in China, his upcoming appearance is bound to garner a considerable amount of attention.

Additionally, the experienced veterans Xu and Qi have also earned their spots in the finals of the women's and men's freestyle skiing aerials, respectively. This competition holds immense significance for these athletes as they strive for excellence and prepare themselves for the qualification stages of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

While the prolonged delay has posed its fair share of challenges in the preparations for this National Winter Games, it has also presented a unique opportunity. From another perspective, this extended timeframe has allowed for extensive upgrades to the venues and infrastructure, drawing upon the invaluable experience gained from the highly successful Beijing Winter Olympics. 

The delay has afforded the opportunity to refine and enhance the existing facilities, ensuring a world-class sporting experience for both athletes and spectators. Meanwhile, with the Games acting as a catalyst, a myriad of winter activities have been unfolding in Inner Mongolia, fostering the continuous growth of its thriving tourism sector.

Latest statistics have unveiled the remarkable upswing in visitation to the entrancing destination of Hulunbuir during the three-day New Year holiday, with an astounding total of 394,200 trips made. It represented a stunning 163.6 percent rise compared to the previous year. 

This unprecedented influx of visitors has translated into a huge growth in domestic tourism revenue, accumulating 242 million yuan – a monumental surge of 220.51 percent. 

"The postponement of the 14th National Winter Games by four years has truly been a transformative period for us," observed Zhang Zhi, deputy director of Inner Mongolia Sports Bureau in a recent statement. 

"During this time, we have made significant strides in our preparations and are now even better equipped to welcome athletes and spectators from across the nation. Our enhanced readiness will ensure a seamless and unforgettable experience for all involved."