Icy Insights—a Review of the Snowy Sports
Rayna is a writer and art-lover that wants to share the excitement for the Beijing Winter Olympics with others. Join the author on her journey to explore the Winter Olympics, how it has impacted our lives, and brought people together while breaking some sweat in the snow!
In the midst of the worldwide pandemic, cheers of “Together, for a shared future” traveled from Beijing to all over the world.
On an icy November day, my mom and I were strolling down the Olympic Park’s windy path. In front of us, the National Outdoor Stadium—also known as the Bird’s Nest for its unique design—came into view. The large nest-shaped building with an open roof loomed above us. Soon, it would light up, with rays of warm gold peeking through the Nest’s “sticks”. Every night, the dark sky is illuminated not only by the city lights but also the colorful lights of the Bird’s Nest. Not far from the stadium, a tall tower with a large countdown screen showed the days before the start of the Winter Olympics. On that day, the ignition of the Olympic cauldron signaled the beginning of the Games.
(Rayna’s own picture on the 72nd day before the Winter Olympics)
Fireworks shot up and bloomed into the sky for each of the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Games from the Bird’s Nest. I’m sure everyone is more than familiar with the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, the international winter multi-sports event which happened from February 4-20. Luckily, it wasn’t postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Paralympics was from March 4-13. Coincidentally, it was during China’s most high-spirited holiday—the Spring Festival (aka Chinese New Year). Beijing is the only city to ever have hosted both Summer and Winter Olympics. On the 72nd day before the opening ceremony of Winter Olympics, the Bird’s Nest welcomed its last visitors before it would close to prepare for the big event. It once again was the Opening and Closing ceremony site for the Games, as it was used for the same purpose in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The international sports event was not only held in Beijing, but also in Yanqing and Zhangjiakou. Each competition venue had an Olympic Village, which was the home of athletes during their stay in China. The Beijing zone primarily staged the ice sports of the Winter Olympics, as well as the Opening and Closing ceremonies. Yanqing, a mountainous suburb of China’s capital, staged the alpine skiing events and sliding events: bobsled, luge, and skeleton. Finally, the Zhangjiakou zone hosted most of the skiing and snowboarding events.
There were 15 sports in the 2022 Games, including Alpine Skiing, figure skating, ski jumping, ice hockey, etc. Many people cheered on their home country’s competitors. It was a wonder to see people from so many different countries being brought together, competing for the medals, and also for the spirit of higher, faster, stronger, and together.
Some of the winter athletes have seized the spotlight. Ailing (Eileen) Gu, a Chinese American professional skier, competed for China and won a historic gold in the women’s freeski big air (as well as another silver and gold respectively). Also a part-time model and Stanford student, she has been the center of the news titles.
(Courtesy of China Daily)
Another Chinese competitor Su Yiming smoothly seized silver and gold in the slopestyle and men’s snowboard big air event, becoming China’s youngest Winter Olympics gold and silver medalist.
Kamila Valieva, world record holder for women’s singles figure skating event, was tested positive for a drug test. Fortunately, she was still able to compete, and finished with an outstanding performance despite questionings.
One of the most popular figure skating stars in the Games, Yuzuru Hanyu challenged the historic quadruple Axel in the men’s singles figure skating event. Regardless of falling several times and coming in fourth, the two-time Olympics champion’s courage has inspired thousands (as well as many fans).
(Courtesy of GettyImages)
The Winter Olympics has never been so close to us. In Beijing, everyone has a chance to experience winter sports, whether they are athletes or beginners. Through the Games, more than 300 million people from all over China experienced the wonders winter brings.
(Courtesy of Wechat)
While I’m not a professional at any winter sports, ice and snow has always been a part of my life. I grew up in Connecticut, America, a state with long winters. In the mornings, I would slip out of my warm bed into the nose-biting air, and tiptoe to the window. I loved to open the shade, and peek outside to discover the whole world covered in whiteness, with the ground and rooftops blanketed in a thick layer of sugar, icicles hanging from pine trees and porches, as if everything is under a magical spell. On those special snow days, school would be canceled. I would go outside to build snowmen, have snowball fights, and sled all day long. Even after I moved to Beijing, there are still places to experience the pleasure of ice and snow. When winter season comes, I often visit the natural skating rinks in the Summer Palace, Shicha Lake, and Beihai Park. They provided figure skates, but also ice carts which you can sit on and move forward with metal sticks. One time, I was sitting in the middle of a frozen lake on an ice cart, when a huge blast of wind pushed me all the way to the edge of the lake in an instance.
I live close to the Olympic Park, so I often go there to exercise. On weekends, my mom and I visit its huge dragon-shaped lake, and play badminton in the parks with leafy trees and twittering birds. In the evenings before the pandemic, there were usually groups of people in the large squares of the park singing karaoke, public square dancing, and jump-roping. The Olympic Park also holds skiing and skating rinks, which make up for the little amount of snow in Beijing. In addition, the Bird’s Nest has an annual Winter Wonderland Paradise which I went to, with interactive ice sculptures and man-made snow which you could slide down on snow rings. It will open up to visitors when the Games end.
People have become more involved in winter sports with the spirited atmosphere of the competitions. Many of the venues for the sports events would open to the public. Personally, skiing has become increasingly popular among my friends.
Along with the skiing crazes, the adorable Winter Olympic mascots Bing Dwen Dwen (冰墩墩) and Shuey Rhon Rhon (雪容融) have been popular icons, especially loved by children. Recently, the news was filled with the Bing Dwen Dwen “vibe” and its high demands both in stores and online. It got to the point of which they were always sold out, and everyone was finding alternatives, even buying cake versions!
Shuey Rong Rong, the mascot of the Paralympics, began its mission as less popular than Bing Dwen Dwen. The Paralympics features handicapped competitors. For some, they may seem less entertaining to watch. However, we should applaud their resilience and courage to participate in extreme winter sports in the face of limitations instead of pitying their disabilities.
Even a theme song was made the Beijing Winter Olympics, called “Together, for a Shared Future” which has been broadcasted all over China. Through music, it sends hope into people’s hearts that together, we can accomplish anything. In the Winter Olympics, people from all over the world unite through sports, even while the Covid-19 pandemic is still raging. Whether it’s being trapped in quarantine or having to do online learning, everyone will get through it together (even if you’re stuck in the same house with your siblings).
Although the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics has ended, the songs and cheers will still resound in our memories. Let’s remember these unforgettable moments and look forward to the 2026 Italy Winter Olympics!