Zhao Dan became China's first steel-frame snowmobile athlete to serve as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games. Video screenshots
On January 30, the flag bearer of the opening ceremony of the Chinese sports delegation to the Beijing Winter Olympics announced that in addition to speed skater Gao Tingyu, steel frame snowmobile player Zhao Dan will also serve as the flag bearer, and she is also the first steel frame snowmobile athlete in the opening ceremony flag bearer since China participated in the Winter Olympic Games.
After the news was announced, Zhao Dan posted on social media: "When I heard the news that I had become the standard-bearer of the Chinese delegation to the Beijing Winter Olympics, I was surprised and deeply honored. Being able to participate in the Winter Olympics at home has made me feel very lucky, and now I have an additional identity, which makes me feel more responsible and mission. I will definitely cherish the trust that the organization has given me, stimulate the great potential in my heart, and strive to show my best self on the field. ”
Crossover from athletics to steel frame snowmobiles
Born in 2002, Zhao Dan was a triple jumper before moving to a steel frame snowmobile, and she won the women's U18 long jump and triple jump championship at the 14th Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Games. In September 2018, shortly after participating in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Games, Zhao Dan entered the Chinese national steel frame snow team through cross-border cross-sports.
For the transition from athletics to steel frame snowmobile, Zhao Dan said in an interview: "At that time, I was actually particularly hesitant, after all, I had some achievements in the triple jump, and with the support of my coach and family, I came to the steel frame snow team, and later found that I fell in love with this sport." ”
Recalling the first time he experienced the steel frame snowmobile project, Zhao Dan still remembered vividly, "At the beginning, I didn't know what the steel frame snowmobile was, the first time I went to the ice, I felt that my body was on a board, and the whole person was lying on it, and it would be dangerous to slide down on such a high stone." ”
In the face of such a dangerous and unknown new project, Zhao Dan admitted that he would definitely be a little afraid, but every time he slid to the finish line, he would feel very comfortable.
Despite being a cross-event, in her opinion, the long jump and the steel frame snowmobile project have similarities, both require explosive power and short sprints, which better help her improve her starting skills.
In fact, for Zhao Dan, cross-discipline not only began a completely different sport, but also opened up a new world for her.
Zhao Dan said on social media that he would strive to show his best self.
Talent the WinterGreens results coaches were surprised
Soon after the crossover, Zhao Dan demonstrated his outstanding talent on the steel frame snowmobile in a series of competitions, and achieved good results in many international competitions.
In December 2019, Zhao Dan finished first in the first and second races of the North American Cup (Youth Olympic Games Qualifying) of the 2019/2020 season in Lake Placid, USA. In January 2020, Zhao Dan represented the Chinese team in the Youth Olympic Steel Frame Bobsleigh Competition held in Switzerland for the first time, and finished 7th with two rounds of 1:12.06 and 1:12.27 respectively, which was also the first time that the Chinese women's steel frame snowmobile appeared on the Winter Youth Olympic Games.
In an interview with the media after the Winter Youth Olympics, Patrick Shannon, the foreign coach of the Chinese Steel Frame Snow Team, said: "I would be surprised if you predicted at the beginning of the season that Zhao Dan would achieve such results in the youth competition. But she's really committed to training, to the project, and she's a talented athlete. ”
Zhao Dan is looking forward to a breakthrough at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Photo/Social Media
Debut Beijing Winter Olympics look forward to a breakthrough
Entering the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, Zhao Dan maintained a good competitive state in many overseas events.
On December 3, 2021, Zhao Dan won the women's steel frame bobsleigh event in the 2021/2022 Intercontinental Cup in Innsbruck, Austria. Also held in Innsbruck, Zhao Dan finished 15th, which is also her best result in the World Cup.
Thanks to his outstanding performance in multiple races, Zhao Dan qualified for the Real-time Competition for Chinese Steel Frame Snowmobiles in the Winter Olympics table of steel frame snowmobiles announced by the International Snowmobile Federation in November. A few days ago, the list of Chinese sports delegations for the Beijing Winter Olympics was officially announced, and with his outstanding performance in the selection competition, Zhao Dan was successfully shortlisted. It was also her first time on the Olympics.
Beijing News reporter Wang Jisong
Edited by Bao Hongguang