Xinhua News Agency, Chongli, Hebei, January 29 (Reporters Huang Haoran, Sun Zhe) On the 29th, the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month, at the National Cross-Country Ski Center in Zhangjiakou Division, heroes from all walks of life are waiting eagerly and fighting horses – February 5 , On the second day of the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics, the cross-country event is about to start.
Athletes train at the National Cross Country Ski Center on January 27.Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Deng Hua
Cross-country skiing, known as the “snow marathon”, became the first Winter Olympics event in 1924. As a traditional major event, this Winter Olympics will determine 36 medals in 12 sub-events in 10 competition days. On February 5, the women’s double pursuit (7.5 km traditional technique + 7.5 km free technique) arena is expected to give birth to the first gold of this Winter Olympics.
Other events include men’s double chase (15km traditional technique + 15km free technique), men’s/women’s individual sprint, women’s 10km (traditional technique), men’s 15km (traditional technique), women’s 4x5km relay, men’s 4x10km relay , women’s/men’s team sprint (traditional technique), men’s 50km, women’s 30km. As a practice at the Winter Olympics, the men’s 50km and women’s 30km award ceremonies will be held at the closing ceremony.
There is a big gap between the previous achievements of China’s cross-country skiing and the world‘s top teams. During the preparation period for the Beijing Winter Olympics, the Chinese cross-country skiing team selected talents from cycling, marathon, rowing and other events. This youth army composed of “post-90s” and “post-00s” athletes achieved full coverage of cross-country skiing in the Winter Olympics for the first time.
On December 12, 2021, the national cross-country skiing training team prepares for the Beijing Winter Olympics. Dinigel Yilamujiang is in the team’s simulation competition.Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Hu Huhu
It is worth mentioning that the Chinese cross-country skiing team is a team composed of athletes from Han, Uyghur, Tibetan and other ethnic groups. Dinigar Yilamujiang, a Uyghur girl born in 2001, will participate in the Winter Olympics for the first time. She won three championships in the women’s five events at the Hot Spring Station of the FIS Points Competition in November 2021, and won the women’s Points champion.
“Many young athletes in our team are participating in the Winter Olympics for the first time, but we are confident and motivated to achieve good results at home.” Zhang Bei, the leader of the Chinese cross-country skiing team, said that the Chinese team’s strategy is similar to track and field sprinting. Strive to promote individual events, especially to seek breakthroughs in women’s events, among which the women’s 4X5 km relay event has the opportunity to achieve a historic breakthrough. But the girls are also bound to face stiff competition from strong teams such as Norway, Sweden and Russia.
Norway is the leader in cross-country skiing. It has won a total of 121 medals in the previous Winter Olympics, 41 more than the second-placed Sweden. Norwegian star Kleiber is expected to show his style again in the men’s sprint event. At the PyeongChang Winter Olympics four years ago, he won three gold medals in the men’s relay and team sprint. Norwegian female athlete Ter Johoug has been banned from the PyeongChang Winter Olympics for doping, and will compete in the women’s sprint and team sprint.
However, the Norwegian team’s prospects for preparations have been cloudy recently. The women’s team Heidi Wen Annie Shesti Calva, the men’s team head coach Ariel Munsen and the men’s team star and two gold medal winners at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, West Kruger, have all contracted the new crown virus. As a result, it is doubtful that many powerful athletes will play.
The other dominant Swedish team in cross-country skiing, this Winter Olympics will be led by Xia Carla and Carle Havwalsen. Carla won the women’s doubles pursuit crown at the last Winter Olympics, and she will make another impact in this competition.
Facing the competition pattern of strong players, Zhang Bei said that at the Beijing Winter Olympics, the Chinese cross-country skiing team will strive to create history, and will be the ultimate in each event without regrets.
On February 5th, the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, we are waiting for the “Snow Marathon” to start in the snow.
Editors: Liu Ning, Huang Xuguo, Ji Jiadong
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责编：刘希尧 ]