BOY HAS BIG SKATES TO FILL

On a skating rink at a recreational center in Beijing's Olympic Forest Park, dozens of children glide, jump and spin. Fang Zaien is the shortest and, comparatively, the most clumsy among them.

Fang, 6, began figure skating when he was 4 and has already passed the international level one test for the sport.

His mother, Yao Jia, said that few boys choose figure skating, but he was inspired by her, as she was a national figure skating champion in 1999 and competed in many international competitions.

She is now tournament director for the figure skating events at the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics, responsible for event organization and coordination during the Games.

Yao also started figure skating when she was 4.

"I feel it's my son's destiny to skate," she said. "I was also able to uncover his talent for the sport."

She drives about 60 kilometers across the city to take Fang to training sessions three times a week.

Because figure skating is a combination of sports and art, Fang is also playing the drums and is studying music.

With the Games approaching, more Chinese youngsters are taking part in winter sports, Yao said, adding that she hopes her son will contribute to the national development of such sports in the future.