Ice is nice for sporty students in Xinjiang

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics have led more people in China to develop a passion for ice and snow sports, including youth in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

In the region's Beitun city, where the snow season lasts for more than five months, ice sports such as speed skating and cross-country skiing have become regular activities in primary and secondary school physical education classes.

Currently, 56 primary and secondary schools and seven universities in Xinjiang are offering ice and snow sports courses, in which approximately 46,000 students participate. More than 90 schools in the region have been recognized as "National Youth Ice and Snow Sports Specialized Schools", according to the Xinjiang government.

Last year, the 181st Regiment Middle School in Beitun became one of these schools. The school was established by the 10th Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a special administrative body that governs Beitun.

Principal Wang Yongji said that all students have at least two ice and snow sports classes per week. The school has eight teachers who offer professional speed skating and cross-country skiing training to more than 350 students each year.

"During the winter, when the temperature drops to — 25 or — 30 C, it's very tiring and difficult for the students to train. But they are passionate about ice sports," said Han Yaru, a physical education teacher at the middle school and a speed skating coach.

"When they take breaks, their feet are frozen, so we warm them up by placing their feet under our armpits, and then they go back to training when they can feel their feet again. Seeing their perseverance, I am motivated to teach them well."

When Han was younger, the students in Beitun city had a tradition of going ice skating in winter.

"We didn't have ice rinks," she said. "Teachers would take us to clear the snow on the river surface, and then we would skate on the frozen water."

Since 2006, Xinjiang has organized ice and snow activities for millions of young people, set up 100 ice and snow sports demonstration schools and held consecutive speed skating competitions.

For example, in the northern Altay prefecture, the number of people participating in ice and snow sports has reached 290,000, including about 100,000 young people.

In 2015, Beitun increased its investment in school infrastructure, allocating over 2 million yuan ($280,000) to improve and expand the speed skating facilities.

Currently, the 181st Regiment Middle School has a standard ice rink with a 400-meter skating track and a snow area with a 3-kilometer-long professional cross-country skiing trail. The rink is equipped with professional speed skating, providing a safe environment for the students to train, principal Wang said.

Coach Han said: "The school's infrastructure is improving. Previously, students had to buy their own equipment, but now the school provides equipment for everyone."

Zhou Lehao, a 13-year-old student, enjoys being a member of the school's speed skating team.

"I think the happiest moment in ice skating is when I achieve results in competitions and enjoy the fruits of my training," he said. "Sports are good for oneself, and it would be even better if I could pursue it as a profession in the future."

Dozens of students have won prizes in competitions in Xinjiang and around the country, including Ma Zixuan, a former student at the middle school who won the national speed skating champion in the 1500m event for the males' high school division of the National Ice Skating Inter-School League last year.

Han believes long-term training has made the students more cheerful, courageous and tenacious.

"During training and competitions, they meet children from other places, get to know them and communicate with them, becoming more outgoing. Everyone gets nervous before a competition, but these children gradually develop resilience, and they improve each time," she said. "Monotonous training can be a bit tiring, so we play some small games with the students to increase their interest."

Younger children enjoy recreational activities on the ice, which helps them develop an interest in ice and snow sports and improves their flexibility.

Luo Jiayuan contributed to this story.

yandongjie@chinadaily.com.cn