New faces lace up for China

According to team manager Liu Chenyu, the training camp will conclude at the end of next month after a series of physical and skating tests and the new national team roster for the 2023-24 season will be announced in early September.

With three new youth World Cup events and the Winter Youth Olympic Games added to the 2023-24 calendar, Team China plans to compete at 17 international events, including all six senior World Cup legs and the world championships, in the new season, according to head coach Zhang.

"We are embracing the busier schedule as a way to expose the youngsters to more international drills, and for the veterans to pick up their pace," said Zhang, who guided the Hungarian men's team, anchored by the Liu brothers, to the country's first Winter Olympic gold by winning the 5,000m relay at the 2018 Games.

"We are facing a very challenging 2023-24 campaign, which will set the tone for us going forward to the 2026 Winter Olympics."

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn