For Chongqing's winter sports, February 8 is truly a memorable day. Cross-country skier Wang Qiang from the Chongqing team competed in the cross-country skiing men's sprint free qualification match of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. This is the first time that the Chongqing team has had an athlete participate in the Winter Olympics.

Marking a new starting point for Chongqing's winter sports

On January 27, Wang Qiang was selected into the Chinese sports delegations for the Beijing Winter Olympics. This is the first time that the Chongqing team has had an athlete participate in the Winter Olympics, marking the history of winter sports in Chongqing. On the evening of February 4, the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics was held at the National Stadium in Beijing, and Wang Qiang represented the athletes in the oath, which is a great honor.

"It's the most precious experience in my life and such a great honor to represent the athletes in the oath at the Winter Olympics held in China, my country," said Wang Qiang.

"Chongqing is a city located in southwest China where it seldom snows. So it is not easy for Chongqing to have an athlete selected into the list of Chinese sports delegations for the Beijing Winter Olympics, let alone have an athlete representing the athletes in the oath. Both are glorious milestones for Chongqing's sports, especially winter sports!" Ke Ping, Director of Chongqing Winter Sports Management Center, added, "It marks a new starting point for Chongqing's winter sports and will play a symbolic, pioneering and monumental role in the future development of winter sports in Chongqing."

Wang Qiang expressed his wish to achieve good results at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics many times. When asked about the upcoming matches, Wang Qiang said he had gotten ready. "I will try my best in the upcoming matches. At the Olympics to be held in my country, I hope I can push my boundaries and contribute to China's cross-country skiing and Chongqing's winter sports."

Wang Qiang to participate in four of six cross-country skiing events

There are six cross-country skiing events scheduled for Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics: Skiathlon, Individual Sprint, 15km, 4×10km Relay, Team Sprint, and 50km Mass Start. Wang Qiang will participate in four events, i.e., Men's Sprint Free, Men's 4×10km Relay, Men's Team Sprint Classic, and Men's 50km Mass Start Free.

Every cross-country skiing match is very physically challenging for athletes. According to Wang Qiang's match schedule, after the Men's Sprint Free on February 8, he can rest for four days until February 13. But for the other three matches, he can rest for only two days between them. It's a great challenge facing Wang Qiang.

That's why Wang Qiang participates in his strongest events to ensure that his form can remain brilliant. At PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, Wang Qiang participated in five events, including Men's Skiathlon (15km Classic and 15km Free) and Men's 50km Mass Start Free.

Cross-country skiing, also known as "marathon on snow," involves diverse skiing skills such as climbing, downhill, turning, and gliding and is both mentally and physically challenging for athletes who ski for a long distance on snow-covered mountains or fields. Indeed, cross-country skiing is an emerging sport in China with only a weak foundation, and there is a lot to do for China to catch up with European and American levels. But Wang Qiang hopes to push his boundaries. Therefore, he trained so hard that there was even worry about getting hurt. Now, his form is brilliant.

So far, the competition on February 8 has ended. According to the schedule, Wang Qiang's next race is at 15:00 on February 13, competing in the men's 4x10km relay.