Beijing, March 1 – A high-level review meeting in the Chinese capital has shed light on the Chinese sports delegation’s performance at the Milan Winter Olympics, with the State General Administration of Sport declaring notable advancements.
Director General Gao Zhidan highlighted that the team achieved remarkable progress across multiple disciplines, boosting its overall competitive edge. Yet, he cautioned that internationally, China remains in a chasing position behind top nations, a dynamic that has not fundamentally shifted.
The delegation secured 5 gold, 4 silver, and 6 bronze medals, totaling 15 podium finishes – the best-ever result for China at a Winter Olympics held outside its borders. With 126 athletes competing in 92 events, both participation figures marked historic highs for overseas Winter Games.
Medals came from 8 different events, signaling balanced growth between ice and snow sports. Several young athletes shone brightly, hinting at a promising future for Chinese winter sports.
Gao emphasized persistent weaknesses in foundational infrastructure. Training concepts and methods lag in progressiveness, medal-leading events are limited, talent reserves are insufficient, and management of major competitions needs refinement.
Looking ahead, China plans deep reforms in its sports management system, training, and competition frameworks. Talent development will diversify through multiple models, targeting more gold medals across additional events.
The national sports sector must embrace a long-term vision, accelerating the build-up of a sports powerhouse. Efforts will balance elite competition enhancements with improvements in public fitness services, ensuring widespread societal benefits from sports development.