Source: People's Daily
In the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, the scene of many athletes working hard and working together was praised by all parties. Under the banner of the five rings, they interpreted the Olympic motto of "faster, higher, stronger - more united" with unremitting struggle for self-improvement and never giving up.
Pakistani alpine skier Mohammed Karim —
"A memorable stay"
"It's a game I've been waiting for for a long time! The moment I stood on the track, I was incredibly excited. On February 16, Pakistani alpine skier Mohammed Karim competed in the men's alpine slalom at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Karim told this reporter that although there were mistakes in the game, he would not give up his love for ice and snow sports. He will adjust his form and continue to train hard to make progress in the next Winter Olympics.
Karim was the only athlete in the Pakistani delegation to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics and served as the flag bearer at the opening ceremony. This is his third time participating in the Winter Olympics.
Karim was born in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan, which is known as the "ski town" of Pakistan. At the age of 4, Karim put on a wooden snowboard made by his father and stood on the slopes for the first time. "My brother and I climbed to the top of the slope carrying a snowboard, and the nervous and anticipatory mood is still unforgettable." Karim said.
Hard work and a love of skiing have made Karim stand out and win numerous domestic competitions in Pakistan. He played for the national team at the age of 15 and achieved excellent results in international competitions. Pakistan has a hot climate all year round, and Karim trains in Gilgit for three or four months a year before training in other countries. "Alpine skiing gives me the opportunity to win glory for my country and also brings me a broader vision." Karim said.
During the preparations for the war in Beijing, Karim stepped up training. Karim said that the friendship between Pakistan and China has a long history, and Beijing makes him feel particularly cordial, "I set goals for myself, added extra training, and tried to stay in the best shape." The construction of the Winter Olympic Village and the Winter Olympic venues amazed Karim: "There are many new experiences full of technology here, and the venue protection service is meticulous and thoughtful. Karim said that from the stunning "Snow Flying Swallow" track, to the smart bed that can adjust the angle, to the mascot "Ice Pier", the athletes experienced a high-level winter sports event in all aspects.
"It's a competitive sporting event full of friendship and joy. The athletes fought for their dreams while showing a spirit of solidarity and deepening their friendship. The Beijing Winter Olympics is one of the best memories of my athlete's career. Karim said.
Thai cross-country skier Mark Shang Long —
"Skiing has given me more courage"
At the Zhangjiakou National Cross-Country Skiing Center, the white snow tracks wind and roll along the mountains, forming a series of interconnected rings. In recent days, athletes from all over the world have launched a high-intensity cross-country skiing race here.
Speed up, sprint, hit the line! In 44 minutes and 27 seconds, Thai cross-country skier Mark Shang Long completed the men's 15 km (traditional technique) race in cross-country skiing on February 11. At the moment of the dash, he was very excited: "I am very happy, I have worked hard with all my strength to achieve satisfactory results." It was a great day, the weather conditions and my competitive form were perfect. ”
Shang Long is participating in the Winter Olympics for the second time, and he has participated in the competition of 4 sub-events in cross-country skiing. "Thailand is tropical and most people don't know much about snow sports. I hope that by participating in large-scale events such as the Beijing Winter Olympics, more people will pay attention to and participate in winter sports. Shang Long said.
Shang Long's love of skiing is inextricably linked to the influence of his family. His father also engaged in snow sports. He and his sister began to train in alpine downhill skiing from an early age, laying a solid foundation for cross-country skiing competitions. "Cross-country skiing pays more attention to strength and endurance, and athletes need to complete the conversion of different sliding styles such as uphill, downhill and flat, and the technical requirements are more delicate." Shang Long said.
At this Winter Olympics, Shang long's family moved. He and his sister competed on the field, while his parents formed a logistics team, with dad as team manager and mom as physical therapist. The love and support of his family has become the source of motivation for Shanglong in the competition. He said that whether it is in life or in the game, he can always get encouragement from his family, who has witnessed his growth and progress.
Shang Long has been engaged in skiing for 18 years. Day-to-day training takes up most of his daily life, and he enjoys it, saying that he is "happy to fight for the sport he loves". In training, Shanglong often has to overcome the difficulties caused by harsh climatic conditions, and sometimes even has to face the cold below minus 20 degrees Celsius. "Skiing has given me more courage to face difficulties and challenges." Shang Long admits that hard training can hone morale and make people more tenacious and tenacious to face the challenges of life.
Over the years, Shang Long has continuously participated in competitions and accumulated experience around the world. He travelled to Tianjin and Hangzhou in 2019 to compete, and he was impressed by China's well-established snow sports facilities and event organization. He said: "China has high-level ski facilities and good training conditions, and it is easier to improve technical level and performance by training here. Shanglong praised the professional facilities and complete service guarantee of the Beijing Winter Olympics, "Strictly implement measures such as disinfection, meal sharing, and nucleic acid testing in the closed loop to ensure the safety of personnel to the greatest extent." Athletes from all over the world have exchanged and learned from each other through the platform of the Winter Olympics, and many have forged deep friendships. ”
British snowmobile Montrey Douglas —
"Pursue your dreams and stick to them"
On February 18, British sprinter Montre Douglas partnered helmsman Mika McNeil to compete in the women's doubles snowmobile event at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Douglas was the first female athlete to represent the British team at both the Summer and Winter Olympics.
For Douglas, 35, participating in the Beijing Winter Olympics has a special meaning. Fourteen years ago, Douglas took the women's 100-meter track at the Beijing Summer Olympics. In 2016, Douglas switched to snow sports. Referring to this choice, she said: "I want to experience a rich life, feel two different sports, and have a richer experience." No British female athlete has ever competed in both the Summer and Winter Olympics, and I hope that my hard work will inspire more women to participate in sports. ”
Douglas said that coming to Beijing again after 14 years, the "city of the two Olympics", made her feel extremely excited, "people must pursue their dreams and persevere." In order to qualify for the Winter Olympics, Douglas and teammate McNeil did a remarkable thing before. Affected by the epidemic, Douglas and McNeil were unable to go abroad to compete or go to regular tracks for daily training. With the help of McNeil's family, the two made their own 30-meter snowmobile track in the back garden of McNeil's home and insisted on training.
Douglas shared a photo of himself at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics on social media: "Standing in the bird's nest of the arena when I first participated in the Beijing Summer Olympics 14 years ago, everything seemed so magical and so special. The Beijing Winter Olympics will never be for me. After the "Snow Dragon" began training, Douglas praised the track situation, saying that "the beauty of the snowmobile track in Beijing is amazing."
On and off the field, Douglas is passionate about life. For the past 10 years, she has worked as both a coach and a physical education teacher, as well as as a sports and health coordinator at the Enfield Municipal Child and Youth Service, where she strives to support the participation of people with disabilities in sporting activities. "I think it's very meaningful to be able to contribute to the cause of sports." Douglas said. (Reporters Yang Xun, Li Xinyi, Cheng Jie, Zhou Zhuobin)
(People's Daily Beijing, Islamabad, London, February 18)
People's Daily ( February 19, 2022 Edition 07)