Yin Qi: Retire, Come Back, Switch Sports, Win Championship
By Wei Jingyu and Wang Chunyan, Xinhua News Agency
Hohhot, January 15 – After a remarkable comeback and switching sports, Yin Qi, a prominent speed skater from the Xinjiang team, concluded the 14th National Winter Games with one gold, two silver, and one bronze medal.
In 2015, Yin Qi was selected for the national short track speed skating training team and gained recognition in domestic and international competitions. Despite her success, she was not chosen for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics squad, leading to her retirement.
Determined to make a comeback, Yin Qi switched to speed skating and began training for the Olympic Games once again. The transition, however, was challenging as she had to adapt to a different style of skating and build her physical endurance from scratch.
Despite the difficulties, Yin Qi persevered and eventually competed at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, finishing 15th in both the women’s 1000m and 1500m individual events. Her determination and hard work were evident as she refused to give up on her dreams.
Speaking on her future goals, Yin Qi expressed her desire to continue competing and contribute to raising the overall standard of Chinese speed skating to a world-class level.
Yin Qi’s journey serves as a testament to the power of resilience, dedication, and unwavering determination, reminding athletes that it is never too late to pursue their dreams.