Overlooking the Winter Olympics | Message from the President of the World Curling Federation: I believe that Beijing can host an extraordinary event

On the occasion of the 100-day countdown to the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games, Kate Kesnis, president of the World Curling Federation, expressed her blessings to the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics through video link, believing that Beijing in a few months will be able to present a perfect event, when she herself will be presented to experience the ice and snow feast of the four years.

The curling community mentions The name of Kesnis is almost unknown to everyone, from Scotland, she played as a member of the famous Royal Caledonia Curling Club in the 1980s, and after retiring in the 90s, she took up a management position and became the head of the club's women's team. In 2006, Kesnis was elected Vice President of the World Curling Federation. In 2010, she became the first female president of the World Curling Federation, where she remains ever since.

She also has deep ties to Beijing, where Kesnis participated in the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing as an IPC official and presented a medal to a paralympic swimmer at the Water Cube, and in 2022 she is looking forward to presenting awards to curling and wheelchair curlers at the Ice Cube. "Presenting two awards at the same venue, once for the summer project and once for the winter event, is really a unique experience." Kesnis said.

During the wheelchair curling world championships, she also came to Beijing and watched the whole game, and on the occasion of the 100-day countdown to the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, she also had something to say: "I am sure that Beijing can host an extraordinary Winter Olympics." I'm familiar with this venue, I was here at the time of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, when it was called the Water Cube, and later at the Paralympic Games, I had the privilege of handing out bouquets to Paralympic swimmers. I'm happy that this time I have the opportunity to be here again, which is also a very special experience for me. During the test match, we were impressed with every facility here and everyone was very happy. ”

She also gave her hopes to all those who are working hard for the Winter Olympics, she said: "After 100 days, I believe that all the preparations will be made here for the Arrival of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games." I myself will come here at that time, hoping that the epidemic situation at that time will be alleviated and bring you a different experience. ”

In addition to her, as a famous player of the Chinese curling team who has participated in the Winter Olympics, Zhou Yan, who served as a referee at the Wheelchair Curling World Championships, also has her own feelings, she said: "As an athlete, I only need to do my own training, and after retiring as a staff member, I have to do a good job in this part of the work I am responsible for, the two are different." I also hope that the wheelchair curlers participating in this competition will be able to experience and adapt to this venue and play their best in next year's Winter Paralympic Games. ”

For the wheelchair curling athletes who are competing, Zhou Yan also gave her own message: "The countdown is 100 days, which means that it is getting closer and closer to the Winter Olympics, and I look forward to all the athletes including our national athletes to achieve some good results in the projects they are participating in, of course, it is also very important to do a good job." ”

Text/Beijing Youth Daily reporter Zhang Kunlong

Photo / Beijing Youth Daily reporter Yang Yi

Editor/Xu Zhao