Cross-border talent combines as nation seeks success

China's ice hockey program, which aims to achieve breakthroughs at the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022, has expanded its search for talent to summer events and also overseas to boost medal prospects.

The Chinese Ice Hockey Association is pulling out all the stops to deepen its talent pool through approaches that include seeking help from its summer counterpart in field hockey.

As part of a national cross-event talent development program, the association has formed eight trial teams based on athletes primarily selected from field hockey after they passed physical and skills tests. The tests have been held since March last year.