After two weeks of exciting competition, the Beijing Winter Olympics are about to come to an end. My first trip to the Winter Olympics is also coming to an end. Looking back on this unforgettable journey, there are dreams cast by sweat, regrets with tears, and many reluctances and thoughts. Too many things want to stay, want to start over. Scene after scene flashed through my mind, precipitating new courage and making me grow.
Kim and Xiao
I am Jin Hexiao, a 19-year-old alpine skier from Hong Kong, China, who competed in the women's alpine skiing slalom at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Although I have been skiing with my father and brother since I was 4 years old and exploring around the mountains together, for a long time, my main sport was gymnastics. It wasn't until one day, when the instructor saw my potential in skiing, that I started training professionally. When I was 13 years old, I officially joined the Hong Kong ski team and have since been representing Hong Kong in competitions large and small.
Jin and Xiao trained on skiing
The feeling of skiing "very free" fascinated me. Every time I dive down from a high place, I stimulate the sense of speed of the ups and downs, and when I make a steady turn, the snowboard's crisp reaction brings me joy and is also the motivation for me to constantly pursue and move forward. And to be able to represent the place where I grew up to participate in the Winter Olympics in the capital Beijing makes me feel extremely lucky and proud.
Weng Houquan (right), Jin Hexiao represented Hong Kong in the men's and women's alpine skiing competitions at the Beijing Winter Olympics
Since there is no ice and snow in Hong Kong, I have traveled back and forth between Hong Kong and Europe in the past few years, taking care of my studies and training and preparing for war. When I learned that I had qualified for the Beijing Winter Olympics, I hugged my coach with excitement. However, my trip to the Winter Olympics was not smooth sailing. After arriving in Beijing, I was physically ill for a while, and I didn't even know if I could compete. Fortunately, I finally recovered and caught up with the event.
Zhu Dingwen (left), the flag bearer of the Hong Kong Winter Olympics delegation and short track speed skater, came to the arena to cheer Jin and Xiao
As the "lead" player in the Hong Kong delegation, I participated in the alpine skiing women's slalom competition in Yanqing on February 9. I was very nervous the night before the game and talked to my mom on the phone. Later, the blessings and encouragement of my relatives and friends slowly calmed my mind. On the day of the race, I was in a good state of mind, but unfortunately I fell down at the last two flag gates, and I was only a little bit close to finishing the race! I was a little disappointed, and for a moment I could not suppress the tears in my eyes. Now that I think about it, I really tried my best at the time, so I don't regret it.
Kim and Xiao prepare for the game
It took 4 years to prepare for the Beijing Winter Olympics, but it was only more than 1 minute on the "Xuefeiyan" track. As I slid off the track, my Winter Olympics were over. Although he did not qualify for the next round, he was very proud to be able to pass many of the world's top ski masters. The whole process also allowed me to accumulate experience in the competition and hone myself, which can be described as a lot of benefits.
Kim and Xiao are in the game
Because I have not returned to China for too long, this time I heard a kind Chinese in Beijing and ate delicious Chinese food, which made me feel happy like a bird. The perfect service guarantee of the Winter Olympics and the warm and friendly volunteers have impressed me deeply. Every morning volunteers would kindly say good morning to me and wish me all the best. If I had anything to do, they all went all out to help. Thinking of parting, I am very reluctant and hope to return to Beijing soon, enjoy the food, and feel the enthusiasm of the people.
Recently, I also received a lot of letters from Hong Kong children, who said that after seeing my game, they thought about it and wanted to learn to ski, which made me feel very happy. If because of me, let more Hong Kong children fall in love with skiing, achieve better results in the international arena in the future, and win glory for the country and Hong Kong, then all my efforts and efforts are worth it.
Jin and Xiao were interviewed by reporters after the game
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the closing ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics. But I will definitely watch the whole process on TV, whether it is the program or the atmosphere, it must be very exciting. As the world's only "double Olympic city", Beijing has successfully hosted two Olympic Games, showing the world the image of a sunny, rich, open and confident China, and making each of our Chinese sons and daughters feel proud and honored.
Kim and Xiao maintain their skis
Next, I will actively prepare for the Asian competition in Lebanon in April and strive to make a breakthrough in the results. By the early fall, I'll start my college life in the U.S. and focus more on my studies. I will also join the university's ski team and continue to train. Thank you all for your support and encouragement! I spent a lifetime in Beijing. Your love is the driving force for me to keep moving forward, and I look forward to growing more in 4 years and once again on the stage of the Winter Olympics!
--Kim Ho-hyo, alpine skier from Hong Kong, China