Time-Honoured Shougang Undertaking Winter Olympics Serving Chinese Winter Sports Development

|ChinaNews|Published:2020-08-04 14:00:33

On July 30th 2020, the "Voice of Beijing 2022" Global Communications, jointly hosted by Beijing Organising Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and China Media Group, was officially launched in the Shougang Park. After the launch ceremony, multilingual hosts of China Media Group and reporters from CRI Online made their way to the Shougang Big Air venue and the National Winter Sports Training Centre to learn more about the industrial culture behind the constructions.

Time-Honoured Shougang Undertaking Winter Olympics Serving Chinese Winter Sports Development

A distant view of the snowboard big air [Photo by Zhang Siqi]

Standing side by side to the four magnificent cooling towers is the Shougang Big Air. Glancing from a distance, it takes the shape of a rainbow, or rather a flying ribbon dangling softly in the air. When the lighting is on, however, it will convert itself into a dazzling "crystal shoe". The sense of elegance and agileness such giant brings forms a visual contrast that leaves the audience to endless aftertastes. "The design of the slope at the very starting stage was vitalised by the flying apsaras," said Pan Xiaozhi, a project planner from Beijing Shougang Construction Investment Co., Ltd. "It is a classic image portrayed in the Dunhuang Murals."

Time-Honoured Shougang Undertaking Winter Olympics Serving Chinese Winter Sports Development

Pan Xiaozhi, project planner from Beijing Shougang Construction Investment Co., Ltd. being interviewed [Photo by Liu Zhisha]

As a "star project" in Shougang, the snowboard big air has been given the utmost attention from the public since its birth. From the site selection in 2017, to the planning and design in 2018, it took the Shougang Big Air 300 days to complete the construction in 2019. Last year, the big air earned itself a debut when the venue held the Air + Style Competition. In early 2021, the FIS World Championship will also be held here. "After the Beijing 2022, the Shougang Park will be made accessible to the public as a sports leisure park," said Pan Xiaozhi.

Time-Honoured Shougang Undertaking Winter Olympics Serving Chinese Winter Sports Development

National Winter Sports Training Centre exterior [Photo by Ruan Hongjun]

Marks of industrial remains, trails of the modern and elements of the Olympics all scatter around the Shougang Park in a harmonious way. The National Winter Sports Training Centre, renovated from old workshops, is a work of modification project. The playing field sitting in the centre was strictly modified in accordance with international standards while some typical characteristics of the Shougang old workshops were also reserved. The National Winter Sports Training Centre now serves a variety of winter sports, including curling, ice hockey, figure skating, and short track speed skating.

Time-Honoured Shougang Undertaking Winter Olympics Serving Chinese Winter Sports Development

Beijing Shougang Park Sports Center Operation Management Co., Ltd. vice-general manager Guo Xiaomin [Photo by Ruan Hongjun]

All the ice rinks in the venue were built in compliance with the international specification parameter (30*60), aka an ice surface of 1800 square metres. Specialized equipment was put into use, this includes ice machines produced by world-leading refrigeration companies, as well as dehumidifier. In addition, first-class standards medical rooms, coach offices, changing rooms equipped with dehumidifiers and indoor 100m track have also come into service. "All the athletes are working hard in preparation for the Beijing 2022. We, on the other hand, will make sure to provide the best logistical support possible," said Guo Xiaomin.

Up to now, all the Winter Olympics venues in Shougang are ready for test. The make preparations for the Olympics are also under way. In the future, both the snowboard big air venue and the National Winter Sports Training Centre will be made accessible to public, promoting winter sports and serving the development of Chinese winter sports. (Written by: Liu Zhisha, Zhang Siqi. Translated by: Fan Bingxue)

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