China eyes bright future after PyeongChang gains

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China, the host of the next Winter Olympics, collected just nine medals in PyeongChang, but the future looks bright for the 2022 Games on home soil.

Short track speed skating is the country's strongest discipline, though a controversial disqualification in the final of the women's 3,000-meter relay left the team and its fans frustrated.

China's angst on the ice was tempered by the emergence of young stars like 17-year-old Li Jinyu, who won silver in the women’s 1,500-meter short track event, and 20-year-old Gao Tingyu, who became the first Chinese man to medal in long track speed skating with a bronze in the 500 meters.

Sui Wenjing and Han Cong compete in the pairs free skate during the figure skating competition. /VCG Photo

"For me, the Olympic experience is no different from the usual races," Gao said. "The living conditions are more confined and the food is safer. It's pretty good."

China also found success in a new sport as snowboarder Liu Jiayu won silver in the women's halfpipe – the country's first medal in the event.

The diminutive figure skating duo of Sui Wenjing and Han Cong were less than half a point away from claiming gold in the pairs competition, and are confident that they have a very bright future.

Gold medalist Wu Dajing for the men’s 500m short track event. / VCGPhoto‍

Carrying the hopes of more than a billion Chinese fans on his shoulders, short track speed skater Wu Dajing set two world records to win the men's 500 meters. And less than an hour later, he led his team to silver in the 5,000-meter relay.

"We wanted to do things step-by-step and steadily finish this race. It's a pity we didn't win, and I should bear that responsibility,” said Wu. “I was really tired and I had problems choosing my skating routes. I am sorry we didn't get the gold."

China will go home with one gold medal, six silvers, and two bronzes.