2024-01-21 10:32:27
China and South Korea are the bases for promoting bobsled sports in Asia – Exclusive interview with the Chairman of the International Bobsleigh Federation
Xinhua News Agency, Pyeongchang, South Korea, January 21 (Reporters Zhao Jiantong and Xu Shihao) At the scene of the luge competition at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon Province, Eners Fergelis, chairman of the International Bobsleigh Federation, accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter from Xinhua News Agency. He said that the legacy left by the two Winter Olympics held in Beijing and Pingchang has become an important infrastructure for the development of winter sports in Asia, and China and South Korea have become two important bases for the promotion of sled sports in Asia.
The picture shows Eners Fergelis, President of the International Bobsleigh Federation.Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Xiaoyu
Fergelis first commented on the performance of young athletes in this Winter Youth Olympics: “This competition is great, especially for these young athletes, this is their precious first Olympic experience. From the International Bobsleigh Federation From a perspective, it’s important to continue to improve these athletes.”
At this Winter Youth Olympics, many athletes from Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Puerto Rico and other areas where winter sports are underdeveloped appeared in this event called “Ice F1”. Fergelis said that the International Bobsleigh Federation will continue to be committed to popularizing and promoting the bobsled event around the world and attracting athletes from more countries and regions to participate.
“In this competition, we have specially set up qualifying rounds for players from some emerging winter sports areas, right here on this venue. Maybe these players are not very strong now, and then we will also set up some training projects to allow players from strong teams and New players joining this project will participate together, and I believe we will see the results of these measures in the next few years,” he said.
On January 20, German player Antonia Pichmann competed in the women’s single bobsleigh competition.Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Xiaoyu
Regarding the promotion of bobsleigh events in Asia, the head of the International Bobsleigh Federation believes that the venues and facilities left behind by the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics are of great significance and value.
He said: “We will use the tracks in Pingchang and Yanqing to hold international competitions, and we will also hold some training camps under the International Bobsleigh Federation, especially for athletes in Asia. China and South Korea have become our promotion partners in Asia. , the base camp for the development of sled sports, and we look forward to China’s continued participation in this sport.”
Talking about the Beijing Winter Olympics two years ago, Fergelis expressed his gratitude to China for its many efforts in hosting the games. “I would like to thank China for its reception two years ago. It was a great experience. Next year we will also go to Yanqing to host the Senior Team Sled World Cup. For the development of winter sports in Asia, the legacy left by the Beijing Winter Olympics is very important. We The venues in Yanqing will be used to develop luge sports, and we would like to especially thank the Chinese government.”
The picture shows the scene of the four-man bobsleigh competition at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jiang Wenyao
During the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, at the Yanqing Olympic Park, the National Snowmobile and Sled Center “Xueyoulong” and the National Alpine Skiing Center “Xuefeiyan” produced a total of 21 gold medals. Just two months ago, “Snow Dragon” ushered in the first International Sports Federation A-level event after the Winter Olympics – the Yanqing Station of the International Bobsleigh and Bobsleigh World Cup in the 2023-2024 season. Chinese players achieved a historic breakthrough by winning 2 silvers and 2 bronzes.
“We are very happy to see the Chinese team in international competitions. Chinese players are on the right path of growth, and your country’s venues will help these players continue to improve.”
On January 20, Chinese player Xin Lihui competed in the women’s single bobsleigh competition.Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Xiaoyu
Fergus believes that China’s bobsleigh and other winter sports have great potential for development. “China’s initiative to ‘lead 300 million people to participate in ice and snow sports’ is very exciting. There are also many ice and snow carnivals and ice and snow sports festivals held over the years, which are great activities.” He believes that it takes a lot of time to develop winter sports. However, China has a large enough population base and will be able to achieve more achievements in freestyle skiing, sledding, bobsleigh and other projects in the future.
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