China's elite winter sports athletes have begun their final preparations for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, with short track speed skaters and snowboarders arriving in Italy on Saturday. The teams landed as the first wave of Chinese competitors to settle into Olympic facilities following the official handover of competition venues.
Ten members of the short track speed skating team immediately headed to training sessions after their overnight flight. Coach Zhang Jing emphasized the logistical challenges of Olympic preparation, stating: "We'll adjust our training schedule according to our own timing once settled in the Olympic Village." The delegation includes two foreign coaches among its 22-member contingent.
Meanwhile, China's snowboard big air and slopestyle teams embarked on an additional 4-5 hour journey to the Livigno competition zone, located 200 kilometers north of Milan. The remote location allows athletes to acclimate to high-altitude conditions while recovering from travel fatigue.
With the Winter Olympics opening ceremony scheduled for February 6, 2026, these early arrivals demonstrate China's strategic focus on maximizing preparation time. The teams' performance will be closely watched following China's record-breaking 9-gold medal haul at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games.
