The 14th National Winter Games opened with a bang, as more than 3,000 athletes geared up to compete in the ice and snow sports event. Hosted at the Inner Mongolia Ice Sports Training Center Speed Skating Hall in Hulunbuir City, the games brought together 35 delegations from across the country, making it the largest and highest-level national ice and snow event since the Beijing Winter Olympics.
The opening ceremony, themed “simple, safe and exciting,” featured just 800 performers who used digital technology and AR virtual visual effects to showcase the “lofty sentiments, boldness, and boldness” of Inner Mongolia. The ceremony incorporated well-known songs, Naadam, Andai dance, Morinouqin, and other folklore performances, culminating in Wu Dajing lighting the main torch.
One standout moment from the ceremony was when bobsleigh athlete Lin Huiyang proudly carried the flag for the Zhejiang Provincial Sports Delegation. As the Zhejiang team entered the venue, they brought with them elements of Jiangnan and Hangzhou, reflecting their pride and heritage.
Following the ceremony, five athletes from Zhejiang will participate in the competitions, with 2 in figure skating (open group) and 3 in speed skating (youth group). Notably, Zhejiang athletes have already made waves in the games, with 14 ski jumping athletes winning 5 golds and 2 bronzes in 9 competitions, showcasing their prowess and setting a new record for the project in national winter sports competition.
The 14th Winter Games has demonstrated the growth and expansion of China’s ice and snow sports, with a focus on broadening participation across various regions. The event marks a significant milestone in the development of winter sports in China and sets the stage for an exciting and competitive games.