The iconic “Ice Ribbon” in Beijing is once again the center of attention as the ISU Speed Skating World Cup races into its second event of the season. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the series, over 260 top athletes from 24 nations have gathered at the National Speed Skating Oval, a landmark venue from the 2022 Winter Olympics.
The atmosphere inside the stadium is electric. Han Mei, who secured sixth place in the women’s 1,500 meters, shared her excitement: “Since the Beijing Winter Olympics, speed skating has gained more attention. The stands are nearly filled to capacity, and I’m truly delighted to see fans cheering for athletes from all over the world.”
The opening day saw China’s leading skaters, including Ning Zhongyan, Gao Tingyu, and Han Mei, showcasing their talents. Ning Zhongyan impressed the crowd by finishing second in Group A of the men’s 1,500 meters with a time of 1 minute, 44.26 seconds, earning his second medal in this season’s World Cup series. “This outcome completely exceeded my expectations,” Ning said. “The surface at the Ice Ribbon is excellent, and the cheers from the audience motivated me, so everything was just perfect.”
While Japanese skaters shone in the women’s 500 and 1,500 meters, it was the USA’s Jordan Stolz who stole the spotlight. The 20-year-old broke the stadium record in the men’s 500 meters with a time of 34.27 seconds and edged out Ning in the 1,500 meters to claim the top podium position.
The successful hosting of the 2022 Winter Olympics has laid a solid foundation for the growth of winter sports in China. This year’s ISU Speed Skating World Cup in Beijing continues to showcase the country’s passion for snow and ice competitions, building excitement for the upcoming 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
