Sports
16:45, 03-Feb-2018
China’s speed skating team trains for PyeongChang Games
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China's speed skating team held its first training session in South Korea, the host nation of the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics. China will compete in 19 individual events and one group event.
Gao Tingyu, the men's 500-meter speed skating champion from the 2017 Asian Winter Games, and two-time short-track world champion Yu Jing, were also at the stadium. Along with China on the ice were athletes from Germany, Norway, Canada and other countries.
Having participated in an individual event at the World Championships last year, Gao is used to the Olympic surroundings.
Gao Tingyu wins the gold at the 2017 Asian Winter Games. /VCG Photo
Gao Tingyu wins the gold at the 2017 Asian Winter Games. /VCG Photo
"I came to this arena one year ago. The temperature was very warm and I felt comfortable during the training session. Things were much better than at the domestic facilities, especially the relative smoothness and humidity," he said.
The women's team will participate in the only group event that China's speed skating team has qualified for. The event only made its debut at the Turin Games in 2006, with China snagging the eighth and final qualification spot.
Their place at the event in PyeongChang came as the result of good performances on the World Cup circuit, and they will be aiming to get on the podium in South Korea.
1086km