Changchun success sets the standard
CHANGCHUN, Jilin Province: China topped the medal table at the Sixth Asian Winter Games in Changchun, a result achieved with the help of a growing number of foreign coaches.
The medal tally of 19 gold, 19 silver and 23 bronze was China's best ever Winter Asiad haul, and 11 of the 19 golds were gained by athletes under foreign coaching.
The strong performance in snow sports was the biggest surprise for the host delegation, with teams capturing eight gold medals.
Under German Klaus Siebert, the Chinese biathlon team contributed five gold, five silver and three bronze.
Following a clean sweep in all four women's events, China collected its first biathlon gold for men at a Winter Asiad, triumphing in the 4 x 7.5km relay.
"I am happy for the whole team," said Siebert, who took the helm half a year ago. "China's women biathletes are strong in Asia, we were here to win."
His new training methods and professional guidance have benefited the team enormously.
"The reason why we always failed before was because we lacked some professional knowledge, such as how to adjust the waxing on skis according to different weather conditions," said team leader Wang Wengang.
"Siebert has brought professional waxing personnel and his new training concepts have led to our progress."
Siebert's hard work may be rewarded with a longer contract.
"We plan to extend the contract with Siebert to 2010 since he is capable enough of leading the team to medals at the Winter Olympics," said Wang.
China's speed skating team grabbed five gold medals, four silver and three bronze under foreign coaches Kevin Crockett and Arno Hoogveld from Canada.
Having trained with Crockett for almost three years, young skater Wang Beixing has risen to become the new leader of the team with gold medals in women's 500m and 1,000m, taking the mantle from former world champion Wang Manli.
Crockett, 32, said his success was down to introducing new ideas.
"I think the different opinion on technique is my strength. I think I bring a different angle on technique."
Vancouver road
Despite the breakthroughs, sports officials know there is still a long way to go to catch up with giants like Germany and the United States.
"Compared with the winter sports powerhouses, the Chinese team is still at a low level," said Wang Yitao, director of China's Winter Sports Administrative Center.
"We only have advantages in certain events like short track speed skating short distances and freestyle skiing aerials. We also made some progress in snow events like biathlon and cross-country, but as for the overall strength in winter sports, we are still weak."
With the successful hosting of the Winter Asiad, officials were cautious when asked about China's plans for hosting the Winter Olympics.
"The Winter Olympic Games has high requirements for venues and facilities, which China still lags far behind in," said Xiao Tian, head of the Chinese delegation.
" As for the Winter Olympics, we have to go step by step."
(China Daily 02/06/2007 page22)
