The ISU Speed Skating World Cup is blazing through the Chinese mainland's capital, Beijing, and the atmosphere is electric! ⚡️ This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Speed Skating World Cup series, and what better place to celebrate than the iconic \"Ice Ribbon\" stadium? Over 260 top athletes from 24 nations and regions have gathered to compete on the world's fastest ice. ❄️
The National Speed Skating Oval, a landmark venue from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, is once again the center stage for thrilling competitions. With top speed skaters returning for this weekend's ISU World Cup, fans are on the edge of their seats, ready to witness record-breaking performances. 🏆
\"Since the Beijing Winter Olympics, speed skating has gained more attention, and this atmosphere has surpassed even last year's event in Beijing,\" said Han Mei, who placed sixth in the women's 1,500m event. \"The stands are nearly filled to capacity, and I'm truly delighted to see the fans cheering for athletes from all over the world.\" 🎉
On the highly anticipated first day, the Chinese national team's stars, including Ning Zhongyan, Gao Tingyu, and Han Mei, showcased their talents. Ning finished second in Group A of the men's 1500 meters, clocking in at an impressive 1 minute, 44.26 seconds, earning his second medal in this season's World Cup series. 🥈
\"This time, my performance was even faster than last week in Nagano,\" Ning shared excitedly. \"I thought my result from the last event was already quite good, but this outcome completely exceeded my expectations. The surface at the Ice Ribbon is excellent, and the cheers from the audience as I stepped onto the ice motivated me, so everything was just perfect.\" ✨
While Japanese speed skaters shone in the women's 500 and 1500 meters, it was the USA's Jordan Stolz who undeniably stole the spotlight. The 20-year-old sensation first broke Gao's stadium record by finishing the men's 500 meters in a blazing 34.27 seconds. He then edged out Ning by just 0.32 seconds to top the podium in the 1500m. 🔥
The successful hosting of the 2022 Winter Olympics has laid a solid foundation for the ongoing development of winter sports in the Chinese mainland. This year's ISU Speed Skating World Cup in Beijing not only showcases the nation's passion and dreams for snow and ice competitions but also sets the stage for the 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games. ⛄️
So, whether you're a die-hard speed skating fan or just love a good underdog story, keep an eye on Beijing's Ice Ribbon this weekend—it's where legends are being made! 🏅
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
