Xinhua News Agency, Harbin, February 10 (Reporters Ji Ye and Wang Hengzhi) Vice Chairman of the International Olympic Committee Samaranchi, once participated in the preparations for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics as chairman of the International Olympic Committee Coordination Committee. Now, this Spaniard has come to China again to watch the Harbin Asian Winter Games. From the Winter Olympics to the Asian Winter, he has witnessed the continued heat of ice and snow in China.

This is the first time that Samaranchi has come to Harbin, and the "Ice City" left a deep impression on him. "The weather is very cold here, but we have visited several venues of the Asian Winter Games and have been strolling around the city to have the opportunity to appreciate the charm of this snowy city," he said.

Little Samaranchi watched the opening ceremony of this Asian Winter Conference on the evening of the 7th, and he congratulated the success of the opening ceremony. He said the opening ceremony was simple and clear, with excellent execution and very successful duration control. "This shows the significance of sports in Asia and the increasingly prominent importance of winter sports. This is the fusion of youth, people, performance and emotions."

From the right to hold on July 8, 2023 to the successful opening of the event, the preparation time for Harbin is very tight. Regarding the organization of events in Harbin, Samaranchi Xiao said: "I have always believed that China will never disappoint whether it is the Hangzhou Asian Games or the Beijing Winter Olympics. This opening ceremony once again proves your high level, good organizational ability and excellent presentation when holding complex events."

After the Beijing Winter Olympics, "driven 300 million people to participate in ice and snow sports" changed from vision to reality, and the ice and snow economy has become a new growth point in many places across the country; last winter, "Erbin" quickly became the "top" of ice and snow tourism in the country; now, the Asian Winter Games are in full swing in Harbin. In three years, from the Winter Olympics to the Asian Winter, Samaranchi believed that he had witnessed the leapfrog development of China's ice and snow sports throughout the process.

"During the Beijing Winter Olympics, even before the opening, I publicly stated that Beijing had successfully created Olympic legacy before the opening of the Winter Olympics." He said, "This Harbin Asian Winter Games proved that the promise of the Beijing Winter Olympics to drive 300 million people to participate in ice and snow sports has not only achieved, but even exceeded expectations, but also played an important role at the moment. The results of joint efforts in Beijing in 2022 are still showing in Harbin, which is very good."

This Asian Winter Games is the largest, with more than 1,200 athletes from 34 countries and regions signing up for the competition. Samaranchi Xiao said: "The Asian Comprehensive Games are of great significance. The Asian Olympic Family and various Asian events in history have proved to be an important platform for young people from all countries (regions) to exchange ideas and share their life experiences."

"The Harbin Asian Winter Games is also one of them. It is filled with a joyful atmosphere and the volunteers are very enthusiastic. I believe it will surely achieve a complete success and leave a long-term legacy." Samaranchi Xiao said.

Reporter: Ji Ye, Li Xu, Wang Hengzhi

Photography: Jia Zilai, Yin Jiajie, Mei Yuanlong

Editor: Zhao Jiantong