More Hulunbuir students skate into winter sports with boost from city

Wang Guifang, 58, a speedskating athlete from Hulunbuir who broke the national record four times, said they used to train in outdoor rinks, where the temperature could drop to -30 C.

"That created many problems," she said. "You have to wear a heavy coat while skating, and the wind outside affects performance."

Wang said with the world-class facilities available now, she encouraged young professional skaters to make the most of their potential.