Homing in on Olympic glory

"Overall, they completed their routines with quality. This was a solid first step marching on toward the Olympics."

Having qualified two couples in pairs and one skater each in men's and women's singles, as well as an ice dance team, China is aiming for multiple podium finishes on home ice next year.

Staged roughly 100 days out from the opening ceremony, the test event trialled a series of strict COVID-19 countermeasures, including bubble management, daily testing and health monitoring.

Feedback on the measures was overwhelmingly positive from international athletes and the sport's governing body.

"It's a special feeling skating here because it's the Olympic rink," Swiss skater Lukas Britschgi said after his men's singles short program.

"It's a beautiful rink, it's super good ice, and warm. Everything is just perfect to skate here. Hopefully, during the Olympics there will be an audience who can cheer us up. But it was great to skate here."

ISU vice-president Alexender Lakernik heaped praise on the venue's readiness for the Olympics as well as the host's vigilance against COVID-19.

"China is very experienced with this and everything was strict, but it was necessary and we fully understand the way it was done," Lakernik said.

"In general, I think the best thing at the moment is the arena, its readiness and how it looks. And everything works.

"We'll see how it will be at the Olympics but for the test event, everything was fine."