Ice bearers: People who promote the popularization of ice and snow sports

Children learn to skate on the ice in Beiling Park in Shenyang on January 15, 2022 Photo/Visual China

The successful bid for the 2015 Beijing Winter Olympics has brought the development of Ice and Snow Sports in China into a golden period of opportunity. According to a survey by the National Bureau of Statistics, from the successful bid for the Winter Olympics to October 2021, the number of participants in ice and snow sports in the country reached 346 million, and the participation rate of residents reached 24.56%. China has fulfilled its commitment to the international community to "bring 300 million people to participate in ice and snow sports".

The ancients used the metaphor of "holding ice" to motivate themselves. The spirit of challenging oneself and overcoming oneself in ice and snow sports is not only reflected in the arena, southern people weekly launched the "ice hugger" feature, focusing on people outside the arena who are unremittingly striving to promote the socialization of China's ice and snow sports. With their love for ice and snow sports, they have worked hard in the industry for many years, and have continuously innovated the market-oriented model of the ice and snow industry in their exploration, providing valuable training opportunities for professional athletes and amateurs, and creating richer cultural products and lifestyles for the public. Some of them have been national-level professional athletes, playing for the country on the field, still contributing to the country outside the arena, guarding the evergreen industry; some have continued the "tinder" for the sports they love all their lives, and after twenty years of ups and downs, they have finally let the dream shine into reality. They all have a common intention: to let more people participate in ice and snow sports.