Records tumble, gold medals galore on first day of Games

A total of 17 gold medals were awarded at the 9th Asian Winter Games on Saturday, the first competition day after the opening ceremony, marking it the day with the most gold medals generated during the Games, according to the organizing committee.

"As of Saturday, three athletes have broken two Asian records and 10 five Asian Winter Games records," Li Guang, director of the committee's competition department, said at a news conference on Saturday. "Among them, Chinese athlete Gao Tingyu, broke the Asian record and Asian Winter Games record for men's 100m speed skating, while Chinese athlete Ning Zhongyan broke the Asian record and Asian Winter Games record for men's 1500m speed skating."

Athletes from 24 countries and regions have registered for the women's giant slalom skiing, which started on Saturday, making it the event with the most participating delegations at the Games.

"We are delighted to see delegations from tropical regions such as Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, as well as countries and regions in West Asia such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE participating," said Li. "It clearly demonstrates the widespread promotion and popularization of winter sports in Asia."

Of the events featured at the Games, 31 percent are making their debut, including two speed skating events, one short track speed skating event, one curling event, three ski mountaineering events, nine freestyle skiing events, and four snowboarding events.

"For instance, although curling originated in Europe, it has a close connection with Asia," said Li. "It was reintroduced to the Olympic family during the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan, and has been a regular competition ever since," said Li.

"The mixed doubles curling became an Olympic event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games, prompting its inclusion in the 2025 Games."

zhouhuiying@chinadaily.com.cn