ISU chief: Beijing 2022 would be promising

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Skating is a major part of the Winter Olympic Games, with competitions in speed skating, figure skating, and short track all being staged. The man who oversees those events is the International Skating Union’s President Jan Dijkema.

In an interview with CGTN, Dijkema congratulated Team China on its performance during the ongoing sports event.

Li Jinyu competes in the women's 1,000m short track speed skating heat event during the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games. /VCG Photo

China has won nine medals at PyeongChang so far – including a gold, six silvers and two bronzes.

Winter sports, already popular in Alpine countries in Europe and North America, are catching up in China ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Dijkema said things look promising when China will host the mega-sporting event in 2022, noting he looks forward to what the country offers.

Dutch athletes dominated speed skating events at the 2014 Sochi Games, winning a total of 23 medals at both men’s and women’s speed skating competitions. But speed skaters from other countries are finding their place at the medal podium at this year's Olympic Games.

Dijkema expressed happiness at the sight of such changes and the increased competitiveness of athletes from different countries. He said he believes that the atmosphere would be more open and competitive in 2022.