On February 11, the semi-final of the men's 5,000-meter relay event of the short track speed skating event at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics was held at the Capital Gymnasium. Pictured is Canadian team player Charles Hamelin (second from right) during the game. Xinhua News Agency
On February 12, the Women's Steel Frame Bobsleigh Competition of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics was held at the National Bobsleigh Center. Pictured here is the Dutch runner-up Kimberly Bose greeting after the game. Xinhua News Agency
On February 7, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Alpine Skiing Men's Downhill Competition was held at the Yanqing National Alpine Ski Center. Runner-up France's John Claret celebrates after the game. Xinhua News Agency
On February 9, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Freestyle SkiIng Men's Big Jump Competition was held at the Beijing Shougang Ski Jump. Pictured here is Norway's Burke Rudder at the match. Xinhua News Agency
The Beijing Winter Olympics are full of excitement, athletes work hard, challenge the limits, constantly surpass themselves, interpret one moving Winter Olympic story after another, and convey the confidence and strength of "going to the future together" to the world
Norwegian freestyle skier Burke Rudder –
Because of love, dreams come true
Reporter Chen Shangwen
The Shougang Ski Jump "Snow Flying Sky" witnessed the production of the gold medal in the men's big jump in freestyle skiing in the new event of the Winter Olympics. On February 9, Norway's Burke Rudder locked up the title early with his excellent first two jumps. Rudd admitted after the game: "When I was thirteen or fourteen years old, I began to dream of becoming an Olympic champion on skiing. Now that my dream has come true, I am very proud. ”
At the Beijing Winter Olympics, whether it was the qualification round or the final, the young man in his early 20s looked relaxed and always smiling. "It's like falling in love with skiing." Rudd said that he chose to ski in the first place because of his love, "this love makes me often forget the hard work of training and the pressure of competition."
Ruud's career has not been smooth. After winning the gold medal in the freestyle ski slopes vele in the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics in Lillehammer, he was hopeful that he would have the opportunity to participate in the Winter Olympics, but due to his qualifications, he was not selected for the Norwegian delegation to the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
In the following season, Ruud did not lose heart, but actively participated in more games. In July 2020, his father was diagnosed with cancer, which devastated Rudd. "It was a very difficult time in my life." Ruud recalls feeling somewhat helpless in the face of his father's illness and choosing to spend more time with his father and family. Sadly, Rudd's father passed away in April 2021.
After winning the Beijing Winter Olympics, facing the camera, Rude raised his arm and showed a golden bracelet up close. It was a gift from his father. "My father always encouraged me to bravely pursue my dreams and do what I wanted to do no matter what. He never cared about the outcome of my game, only whether I was happy or not. Ruud believed that if his father saw him win the Winter Olympics, he would be proud of it.
For Rudd, the Shougang Ski Jump is no stranger. In 2019, he won the championship in the "Boiling Snow" freestyle ski jumping competition held by the Shougang Ski Jump. Winning the championship again here makes Ruud sigh, "This ski resort is delicate and smooth, and the scenery seen from the high starting platform is enjoyable." He said that "Snow Flying" became the world's first permanently retained and used ski jumping venue, which will be a blessing for skiers and sports enthusiasts.
At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Norway ranked first in the gold medal table and medal table with a score of 16 gold, 8 silver and 13 bronze. Norway has fewer than 100 athletes participating in the Winter Olympics, and the overall strength is impressive.
Norway is blessed with unique natural conditions for snow sports, and more than 1/3 of its territory is located in the Arctic Circle, and in many places nearly half of the year is winter. Moreover, in Ruud's view, it is more important that Norwegians have a tradition of loving sports. Many people's childhood joy comes from playing in the ice and snow, and parents are often the first coaches of their children. It is estimated that there are more than 10,000 sports clubs in Norway, providing good facilities for children to receive sports enlightenment and wide participation in snow and ice sports. More than 90% of Norwegian children and youth regularly participate in sports activities, from which professional sports athletes stand out.
Physical education for children and adolescents in Norway does not have medals and it is forbidden to give rankings to children under the age of 13. "The purpose of children's sports is not to compete and win." Tor Aufleb, head of the Norwegian Winter Olympic delegation, said that people feel happy in sports, actively integrate into society, and the purpose of participating in sports is not necessarily to become professional athletes.
French alpine skier John Claret —
Hard work will eventually pay off
Reporter Yang Xun
In the men's downhill race of alpine skiing at the Beijing Winter Olympics, 41-year-old French player Johann Claret won a silver medal and became one of the oldest Winter Olympic medalists in alpine skiing. Claret used this precious silver medal to explain the meaning of persistence and hard work, saying after the game: "Whether it is 20 or 41 years old, it does not matter. Winning this Winter Olympic medal will be a wonderful memory for my life. ”
In 1996, at the age of 15, Claret began competing in the FIS's tournament, ranking thirty-second in his first race, and he was looking forward to the future. In 2003, he made his first World Cup with a total standings of 140 points, failed to finish at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and won a silver medal at the World Championships in 2019. The years passed like a white colt, and Claret was no longer young. His ranking has entered the top of the world, but he has never reached the championship, and he can enter the top 10 when he plays normally, and he can stand on the podium of a sub-station every one or two years. In the previous 3 Winter Olympics, he failed to reach the top 3. He was asked when he was going to retire, but Claret was always active on the field.
Alpine skiing is one of the most complex winter sports and is known as the "crown jewel of the Winter Olympics", with steep and varied terrain. In downhill races, the instantaneous glide speed will exceed 100 km/h. Claret has been injured several times during training and he sometimes feels a change in ear pressure, even tinnitus, but he never gives up.
Before the Beijing Winter Olympics, Claret's Annual World Cup downhill ranking ranked in the top 10 for three consecutive seasons. The Beijing Winter Olympics is a rare opportunity for the veteran to hit the medal again. When the game started the gun, Claret rushed forward with all his might, "I kept rushing, rushing very hard, taking a lot of risks. Claret said that while he couldn't see the timer and the rankings, "I knew I was skating well."
Although Claret failed to stand on the highest podium, a silver medal at the Winter Olympics was enough to prove that his hard work and struggle were worth it.
"Since I was a kid, I've been doing things slower than others, including walking, talking, and other things. And my sports career has also continued this characteristic. "At the age of 35, I once doubted my career, but I still did not give up the career, and finally decided to consider future plans based on the actual situation of each year." ”
"Now I don't feel very old, my mother still calls me 'boy'." Claret said with a smile. Although the Winter Olympic medal came a little late, Claret said, "I think this persistence is worth it because it gives me more confidence in the future." ”
Canadian short track speed skater Charles Hamelin —
Believe in yourself and work tirelessly
Reporter of this newspaper and Peijuan
On the evening of February 16, the Canadian team, led by 37-year-old veteran Charles Hamelin, won the championship in the men's 5,000-meter relay event of the short track speed skating event at the Beijing Winter Olympics at the Capital Gymnasium. Hamelin participated in 5 Winter Olympic Games and won 4 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze and 6 medals, making him one of the athletes with the most winter Olympic gold medals in Canadian history.
Hamelin said: "In this competition, except for myself, the other players are very young. Over the past 4 years, we have made great efforts and spent a lot of unforgettable training time on the ice. In the final, we had a perfect relay and finally got the win. ”
Hameling was also the flag bearer of the opening ceremony of the Canadian delegation to the Beijing Winter Olympics. "It was so unexpected, I never dreamed of becoming a flag bearer." Hameling said: "In any case, it is an honor and I am proud of myself. ”
"My teammates and I had a great time in the Olympic Village. We had a great time, we were able to focus on practice and competition, face it seriously when we needed to be serious, and finally go home with the gold medal, which was the best state I could ever dream of. Hameling told reporters that the ice surface and track of the Capital Stadium are "one of the best short-track speed skating venues for the Winter Olympics."
Hameling was born in 1984 to a sports family in Quebec, Canada. His father served as the coach and director of the Canadian short track speed skating team. Inspired by his father, Hamelin began to be exposed to short track speed skating at the age of 10. He joined the Canadian short track speed skating team in 2003 and won a silver medal with his teammates in the short track speed skating 5000m relay at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.
During holidays, Hamelin skates with his younger brother François Hamelin, who later became his teammate. "I love the thrill of skating on the ice. Every time we went to the ice rink it was like attending a family event and had a great time!" Hameling said.
On how to maintain enthusiasm for training and playing for a long time, Hamelin said: "I'm just doing my favorite things. I would say that if you have a dream in your heart, and at the same time believe in yourself and work hard for it, you can achieve it. Anything is possible, even if you're no longer young. ”
The men's 5,000m relay in short track speed skating is Canada's forte, with Canada winning seven Olympic medals in the event since the event was established at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.
Canada has a long history of snow sports. In the 1880s, the sport of ice hockey spread rapidly in Canada. In order to get rid of the cold, some areas have built indoor ice rinks, and some speed skaters often practice on indoor ice skating rinks. Subsequently, indoor speed skating competitions have emerged in cities such as Montreal, Quebec and Winnipeg in Canada. To promote and popularize speed skating, Canada established the Canadian Speed Skating Association, a national governing body, in 1887. The association has multiple branches across the country, each representing a province or territory of Canada, and its members include athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers. The association regularly hosts national open houses to educate the public about the sport of short track speed skating.
Talking about his future work and life, Hamelin said with enthusiasm that he will continue to engage in his beloved ice and snow sports career, actively helping children who are interested in short track speed skating, "I hope to show them how to do the right things in this sport and achieve a high level of themselves, help them realize their dreams, and at the same time do their best to make short track speed skating more popular."
Dutch steel frame snowmobile kimberly Bosch -
Successful transformation, creating good results
Reporter Bai Ziwei
"It's incredible! I am very proud!" Dutch steel frame snowmobile athlete Kimberly Bose said excitedly after winning the bronze medal in the women's steel frame snowmobile at the Beijing Winter Olympics. She not only won the first Olympic medal in the event for the Netherlands, but also created the Best Olympic result for the Dutch women's steel frame bobsleigh.
After winning the 2021/22 Women's Steel Frame Ski World Cup overall title, Bosch became a favourite to win the Beijing Winter Olympics. She didn't feel too much pressure because of this, "I don't feel bothered, but quite relaxed." Because I just do what I want to do and give my all, my goal is to get good results in all four rounds. She said before the game.
In the steel frame bobsleigh event, the athlete starts the race in a standing position, and after running about 40 meters to achieve starting speed, the athlete needs to lie on the steel frame snowmobile, slide down the track in a head-forward posture, and control the direction through the legs and shoulders. In the race, the average speed of athletes can reach 130 km / h, which can be said to be a thrilling extreme sport.
Bosch has always been looking forward to the Beijing Winter Olympics. During a test event in Beijing last year, she painted a painting with a Chinese dragon as the main element to celebrate the 100-day countdown to the Beijing Winter Olympics. During the Beijing Winter Olympics, Bos recorded her participation and life on social media, and after staying in the Winter Olympic Village, she posted photos with "ice piers" and "snow melting".
Bosch has often participated in gymnastics training and competitions since she was a child, and one opportunity has given her a chance to get acquainted with snow sports. "I was helping out with a few friends at a sports event where there was a toboggan track and I was exposed to sledding for the first time." Bos recalls that a month after the games, she was 16 years old when she received an email asking if she would like to go to Austria for bobsleigh training, and she has been involved in the sport ever since. At the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, she and her teammates won the bronze medal in the double bobsleigh event for the Dutch national team.
However, at higher levels, Compared to tall adult players, Bosch gradually lost his advantage in sledding, a sport that requires athletes to maintain a certain body fat percentage. "The Dutch Bobsleigh and Bobsleigh Federation suggested that I try steel frame bobsleighs, and they thought the flexibility I gained in gymnastics training would give me an advantage when handling steel frame bobsleds." She said.
In the fall of 2013, Bosch's main sport changed from a sled to a steel-framed bobsleigh, but the transition was not smooth. "I remember that the first training was not ideal, but I didn't give up." Over the next few weeks, Bosch mastered the basic principles of steel-framed snowmobiles. 'I'm by no means the best in this field, but in the first season I finished in the top ten in the Europa League a couple of times and I think that's a good place to start.'
Persistent and hard training has finally paid off. In 2016, Bosch won a silver medal at the Steel Frame Bobsleigh Junior World Championships and finished eighth at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. For her outstanding performance at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, she qualified for state funding for the first time and formed a personal support team. Now, with the support of the new team, her steel frame snowmobile sports have reached new heights. "Even though I'm an individual sport, I can't achieve great results in these races without team support around me."
In addition to training and competition, Bosch would return to the Gymnastics Association to help young girls practice gymnastics. "Gymnastics was the first sport I got involved in practicing, and although I haven't been in gymnastics for many years, I really enjoy participating in sports association activities." The sports associations that Boss said have contributed to the development of sports in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, there are more than 23,000 non-profit sports associations and clubs. Many children practice sports from an early age and join various amateur sports clubs early. Some amateur clubs maintain long-term cooperation with professional clubs, giving children the opportunity to train in professional clubs. Through this collaboration, professional clubs can identify potential children at an early stage and send a large number of young talents to sports projects.
As the only female bobsleigh athlete in the Netherlands, Bosch expects more athletes to appear on the steel-frame bobsleigh track. "I'd be very happy if my athletic performance and sports story inspire others to join the sport."
Typography: Cai Huawei
People's Daily (2022-03-21 17th edition)