China and South Korea Promote Bobsled Sports in Asia – Exclusive Interview with International Bobsleigh Federation Chairman
The Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon Province has been an opportunity for Eners Fergelis, the chairman of the International Bobsleigh Federation, to emphasize the importance of China and South Korea in promoting bobsled sports in Asia. In an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency, Fergelis highlighted the legacy left by the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics as significant infrastructure for the development of winter sports in Asia.
Fergelis expressed his appreciation for the performance of young athletes at the Winter Youth Olympics, emphasizing the need to continue improving and supporting these athletes. He commended the International Bobsleigh Federation’s commitment to popularizing and promoting the bobsled event around the world, with a focus on attracting athletes from more countries and regions to participate.
As part of efforts to promote bobsleigh events in Asia, Fergelis mentioned the importance of utilizing the facilities left behind by the Pyeongchang and Beijing Winter Olympics. He highlighted the use of tracks in Pingchang and Yanqing for international competitions and training camps, particularly for athletes in Asia.
Acknowledging China’s role in hosting the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Fergelis thanked the country for its hospitality and expressed excitement for the upcoming Yanqing Senior Team Sled World Cup. He emphasized the significance of China’s venues in Yanqing for the development of sledding sports.
The International Bobsleigh Federation chairman also praised the growth of Chinese players in international competitions and expressed optimism about China’s potential for development in bobsleigh and other winter sports. He lauded initiatives such as China’s “lead 300 million people to participate in ice and snow sports” campaign and various ice and snow carnivals and sports festivals, citing China’s large population base as a key factor in achieving more achievements in freestyle skiing, sledding, bobsleigh, and other winter sports projects in the future.