Xue, Ding as China's flag bearers in Winter Youth Olympics opening ceremony

LAUSANNE - Speed skater Xue Zhiwen and biathlete Ding Yuhuan were named as China's flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, the Chinese delegation confirmed on Thursday afternoon.

16-year-old Xue finished seventh in men's 500m at the ISU Junior World Cup Speed Skating in Bjugn, Norway on Nov 17, 2019, also the qualification competition for the Lausanne 2020.

Ding, also 16, claimed four golds in biathlon competitions of the China Youth Games.

China has dispatched 53 athletes to the quadrennial Winter Games of young athletes, more than doubling its representation at the previous two editions.

The 109-strong delegation takes the tournament as a good testing ground as it aims at full participation in the 109 events of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games on home soil.

The Games held in the Olympic Capital are set to kick off on Thursday evening until January 22, with 81 events across eight sports on offer, featuring a total of 1,872 athletes from 79 National Olympic Committees, largest ever in the tournament's history as for the size of participation.