Harbin, the icy jewel of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, is once again the proud host of the Asian Winter Games, marking its second time in the spotlight after a 29-year hiatus. The 9th edition of the Games kicked off on Friday night with a dazzling opening ceremony at the Harbin Ice-Snow World, the world's largest ice-and-snow theme park.
The ceremony was a spectacle of lights and ice, where the cauldron took the shape of a blooming lilac flower, symbolizing beauty and resilience. Esteemed athletes, including China’s first Winter Olympic champion Yang Yang, men's Winter Olympic gold medalist Han Xiaopeng, Olympic race walk champion Wang Zhen, and 2014 Winter Olympic speed skating champion Zhang Hong, joined children holding ice lanterns to ignite the flame. ⛸️🥇🏂
The journey to spark the Games began on January 20 at the scenic Sun Island area, with a torch relay that featured 120 torchbearers traversing iconic landmarks like the century-old Harbin Central Street and the picturesque Songhua River. 🏙️🌊
The athletes’ parade was a vibrant display of international talent, marching in alphabetical order of their delegations, with the host nation entering last. Star speed skater Ning Zhongyan and young freeskier Liu Mengting proudly carried China’s flag, embodying the spirit and determination of the Games. 🏁🇨🇳
As Harbin welcomes athletes and fans from across Asia, the city is buzzing with excitement and cultural festivities, promising an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Stay tuned to amigonews.net for all the latest updates and highlights from the Asian Winter Games! ❄️✨
Reference(s):
Harbin hosts Asian Winter Games for second time after 29 years
cgtn.com
