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Sarah Lewis, the former Secretary General of the International Ski Federation (FIS) and the first woman to hold the position, recently shared her insights on the promising potential of the Asian Winter Games. In an interview with CGTN Sports Scene’s Greg Laffradi, Lewis discussed how the event serves as a vital platform for winter sports athletes across Asia.
The ninth Asian Winter Games are set to take place in Harbin, in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, from February 7 to 14. While the program doesn’t match the Winter Olympic Games in scale, Lewis believes it has its own unique appeal. “The Asian Winter Games are a special opportunity and a fantastic showcase of winter sport talents from all across Asia,” she said. “They feature a diverse mix of established winter sports nations like China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, alongside emerging countries from Central and South Asia. The Games provide a crucial platform for Asian athletes to develop and gain experience at a multi-sport event.”
Before hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and Zhangjiakou, the Chinese mainland set an ambitious goal of engaging 300 million people in winter sports and succeeded remarkably. According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics of China in January 2022, over 346 million Chinese people have participated in winter sports since 2015. Lewis praised these efforts, stating, “That has certainly been one of the remarkable positives from hosting the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, without any question. The commitment of everybody involved in China made this really the success factor. Consequently, China’s efforts across winter sports development have been absolutely remarkable. The goal of getting 300 million people involved was ambitious, but it was clearly met and surpassed.”
As the Asian Winter Games approach, the event promises to continue fostering the growth of winter sports in the region, providing opportunities for athletes and inspiring new generations to participate in winter activities.
