Big surge for snowball effect

Halfpipe hero Liu's silver medal provides huge boost in nation's drive to grow winter sports sector ahead of 2022 Games

Snowboarder Liu Jiayu's historic silver medal in the ladies' halfpipe at the Winter Olympics on Tuesday represents a major boost in China's drive to grow its burgeoning winter sports sector.

After becoming China's first snowboard medalist, Liu said the exposure her feat will give the sport back home was more satisfying than winning the medal.