As the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics enter their second week, China's delegation demonstrates a transformative approach to winter sports that extends far beyond star athletes. While freestyle skiing champion Gu Ailing continues to deliver podium-worthy performances, new faces like 18-year-old ski jumper Li Wei and speed skater Zhang Yuning are rewriting record books in previously untapped disciplines.
This strategic shift reflects China's decade-long investment in youth training programs and winter sports infrastructure following the Beijing 2022 Games. Over 300 Chinese athletes are competing across 15 disciplines this year – a 40% increase from 2022 – with particular strength emerging in Nordic combined events and ice hockey.
Cultural integration forms another key pillar of China's Olympic presence. Athletes' recovery routines now incorporate traditional Chinese medicine therapies, while the Olympic Village features interactive exhibits on China's winter sports history dating back to ancient ice games played during the Qing Dynasty.
However, climate challenges cast a shadow over future competitions. Rising temperatures in the Alps have forced organizers to rely extensively on artificial snow this year, sparking discussions about sustainable winter sports practices. Chinese environmental scientists are collaborating with international teams to develop new snow preservation technologies that could benefit future host cities.
