Former champions are in a class of their own

The first class of 10 athletes features Olympic and world champions from a wide range of disciplines: Ma (table tennis), Gong (shot put), Sui Wenjing and Han Cong (figure skating), Lei Sheng (fencing), Dong Dong (trampoline), Wang (curling), Xu Shixiao (canoeing), Chen Peina (sailing) and Zang Yize (short-track speed skating).

Several of them are already working with their respective international sports bodies and are expected to bring existing experience to the class.

Ma, a six-time Olympic gold medalist, who is currently a vice-president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, said he's eager to make up for his lack of skills in international communication and management, having devoted his entire life to training and competition as an athlete.

"Obviously, I have a lot of catching up to do," Ma said before attending his first class on the program on Wednesday, one day after celebrating his 38th birthday.

"Once we step away from the competition arena, we are basically new learners with huge room to improve."

"I cherish this opportunity very much. An athlete has a limited competitive career. This program helps me see my post-athletic career from a new perspective."

"I hope I can help Chinese athletes' voices to be heard on the global stage, share Chinese sports stories worldwide and that we can all promote the perseverance and fighting spirit we have forged as athletes in our new roles."