Compatriots in Jintai focused on the Winter Olympics: contributing to cross-strait sports exchanges

A short film about the winter olympics of snowboarder Zhang Jiahao was filmed in Datong, Shanxi.　Photo courtesy of interviewee Zhang Shiming

Taiyuan, January 4 (Xinhua) -- A month before the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics, compatriots in Jintai are using their actions to help the Winter Olympics. On the 4th, a short film telling the story of snowboarder Zhang Jiahao's Winter Olympics is being filmed in Datong, Shanxi, and Taiwan compatriot Xiao Dier is indispensable.

In 2002, Xiao Dier came to the mainland to develop, and after working hard in Taiyuan for 20 years, he hoped to become a "ferryman" for youth employment and entrepreneurship on both sides of the strait. Over the years, Xiao Dier has been paying attention to the development of cross-strait sports and looks forward to the opportunity to make a contribution to cross-strait sports exchanges.

As the Beijing Winter Olympics approached, a program called "Family Banquet" wanted to make the story of snowboarder Zhang Jiahao into a documentary film, but because it could not be filmed in the location of the column, Xiao Dier organized a number of compatriots in Jintai to help ensure the smooth shooting of the short film in Datong.

"I have been following the Winter Olympics and have learned the story of 'post-95s' Zhang Jiahao. At the age of 17, as a baker, he became obsessed with snowboarding after a skiing experience. In 9 years, Zhang Jiahao has been injured many times, but he still does not change his original intention, from zero foundation to professional snowboarder, only because of the 'ice and snow dream' in his heart. Shaw said.

Xiao Dier admitted that without receiving professional training and no team guarantee, Zhang Jiahao can still win the championship in international competitions. Although he did not get the ticket to the Beijing Winter Olympics as he wished, his experience and spirit are worth learning. It is hoped that by helping to shoot Zhang Jiahao's story, he will contribute to the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Like Xiao Dier, Taiwan compatriot Zhang Shiming is also concerned about the Winter Olympics. He told reporters that sports have always been an important channel for cross-strait youth exchanges, and through sports, emotional exchanges between young people on both sides of the strait can be enhanced. I hope that more young people on both sides of the strait will always encourage themselves and make 100 percent efforts for the ideal like Zhang Jiahao.

Previously, Xiao Dier, Zhang Shiming, and other compatriots in Jintai and Taiwan held cross-strait sports and cultural exchange forums with local sports departments on many occasions, hoping that through sports exchanges between Jintai and Taiwan, they would help young people on both sides of the strait who are employed, start a business and invest in Jintai realize their dreams and promote cross-strait sports cooperation and exchanges. (End)