BEIJING, Jan. 15 -- With China set to host the next Winter Olympic Games, in 2022, the country has seen a rise in the popularity of ice hockey, especially in Olympic host city Beijing.
There are now more than 2,500 children playing ice hockey in the Chinese capital, it was revealed on Tuesday.
"2,554 young players from 162 teams participated in the Beijing Junior Ice Hockey League last year," Sun Xuecai, formerly the head of Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau, told reporters.
"Ice hockey is gaining popularity in Beijing."
Since being awarded the 2022 Winter Games, a series of changes have been made in Beijing, with winter sports being added to course curriculums in over 100 of the city's primary and middle schools.
"By 2022, about eight million Beijing citizens are expected to be involved in winter sports," added Sun.
In May 2018, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) decided to grant the Chinese men's and women's national hockey teams direct qualification for the 2022 Winter Olympics, which was only the second exception to the tradition of the host country having to earn its place via qualifying matches. The first exception was for South Korea at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
In a bid to enhance its competitiveness at the highest level, China has reached out for support to overseas players of Chinese origin and other organizations.
In men's ice hockey, the Chinese team Kunlun Red Star competes in the Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League.
【体坛英语资讯:Ice hockey gaining popularity ahead of Beijing 2022 Winter Games】相关文章:
★ 体坛英语资讯:McClaren pays price for England Euro flop
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Dutch broadcasters unwilling to air controversial Koran film
★ 体坛英语资讯:Benevolent Yao breaks rules for good cause
★ 体坛英语资讯:French drive plus local nous to revive women
★ 体坛英语资讯:USA, France and Argentina cruise into Davis Cup last 8
★ 体坛英语资讯:Yi debuts for Bucks in win
★ 体坛英语资讯:Hosts hopes up in the air at World Cup
★ 体坛英语资讯:Open finals: Tsonga dazzles, Shara, Ivanovic meet
★ 体坛资讯:Hammam confident of Qatar bid for 2011 Asian Cup
★ 体坛英语资讯:World Cup champions beaten, runners-up held to draw in Group of Death
最新
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15