In an exclusive interview with CGTN Sports Scene, Yang Yang, China's first Winter Olympics champion and World Anti-Doping Agency Vice President, outlined her aspirations for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. The short track speed skating icon emphasized the transformative role of technology in modern sports and the enduring influence of athletes as youth role models.
Reflecting on her return to Italy – where she competed at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics – Yang described the upcoming Games as a "nostalgic yet forward-looking journey." She highlighted how today's athletes benefit from advanced data modeling and strategic analysis, stating: "Details make differences nowadays. It’s not just athletes, but entire teams and technology driving success."
With China’s winter sports infrastructure still thriving from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics legacy, Yang stressed the importance of nurturing new athletic stars to inspire younger generations. "Role models cultivate passion," she said, noting how facilities and athlete influence could accelerate winter sports adoption across Asia.
Yang’s message to Chinese athletes preparing for 2026 blended pragmatism with optimism: "We’ll see new stars emerge – ones who’ll light the path for future champions." Her dual focus on technological innovation and human inspiration positions Milano Cortina as both a sporting milestone and cultural catalyst.
