https://www.scmp.com/rss/511845/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Liu Mengtao became the first Chinese Para biathlete to win three medals at a Winter Paralympic Games, after claiming the men’s individual sitting gold on Friday in spectacular fashion. Having previously taken gold in the middle distance and bronze in the sprint, the Paralympic debutant finished first in the 12.5km race in 38 minutes and 29.4 seconds without missing a single shot in the four rounds of prone shooting. Liu clinched gold ahead of Ukraine’s Taras Rad by 44.5 seconds. The 22-year-old,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3170170/winter-paralympics-liu-mengtao-becomes-chinas-first-para-biathlete-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3170170/winter-paralympics-liu-mengtao-becomes-chinas-first-para-biathlete-win?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Mar 2022 10:34:24 +0000 None of the 20 athletes from the Ukrainian Paralympic team has reached Beijing with the Games opening at the end of the week, the International Paralympic Committee said Monday. IPC spokesman Craig Spence, in an interview with Associated Press, said he was hopeful the athletes would arrive in China for Friday’s opening ceremony despite difficult logistics. He declined to disclose the team’s whereabouts, citing safety concerns and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “We’re in regular dialogue with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3168643/winter-paralympics-ukraine-athletes-yet-arrive-beijing-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3168643/winter-paralympics-ukraine-athletes-yet-arrive-beijing-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Feb 2022 07:15:14 +0000 Before the Winter Olympics in Beijing, we asked what success for China might look like. In the second of our two-part series, Jack Lau and Cyril Ip look at how China fared in the political arena. The five Olympic rings stood above a masked President Xi Jinping, as he waved to the camera and stood in front of a pastel blue backdrop for the 2022 Winter Games. His wife Peng Liyuan stood beside him at the photo-op, surrounded by 25 other socially distanced world leaders who flew to Beijing for the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3168221/winter-olympics-has-chinas-games-success-raised-its-global-standing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3168221/winter-olympics-has-chinas-games-success-raised-its-global-standing?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Feb 2022 02:15:11 +0000 Before the Winter Olympics in Beijing, we asked what success for China might look like. In the first of a two-part series, Jess Ma looks at the host nation’s achievements on the snow and ice. “Simple, safe and splendid” was China’s promise for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. What followed over 16 days of competition this month were fierce battles on the slopes and rinks for athletes, and with the raging Omicron variant and diplomatic boycotts for organisers. Rigorous Covid-19 testing meant... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3168158/will-chinas-winter-olympics-buzz-last-judging-success-beijing-2022?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3168158/will-chinas-winter-olympics-buzz-last-judging-success-beijing-2022?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Feb 2022 02:15:19 +0000 The world trooped cautiously into the 2022 Beijing Olympics, wary about the “closed loop”, a diplomatic boycott, human rights and the silencing of athletes. But after two weeks of action-packed sport, passion, triumph and human endeavour, the closed loop gave way to an “open China”, as more global viewers than ever before soaked up the tension, drama and emotions that encapsulate the Olympic spirit in a Games that appeared to have fulfilled its motto of “Together for a Shared Future”. The Winter... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3167753/winter-olympics-china-brings-curtain-down-extraordinary-games-ioc-chief?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3167753/winter-olympics-china-brings-curtain-down-extraordinary-games-ioc-chief?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Feb 2022 14:22:26 +0000 The success of freestyle skier Eileen Gu at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics has generated heated debate in some circles on the issue of athletes who have abandoned the country they were born and raised in to represent another. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) may tout the Games as a celebration of sportsmanship and unity, but some spectators have taken it as an all-or-nothing contest between nations. For athletes representing China such as Gu and figure skater Zhu Yi, both... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3167702/winter-olympics-why-has-eileen-gus-chineseness-sparked-raging-debate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3167702/winter-olympics-why-has-eileen-gus-chineseness-sparked-raging-debate?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Feb 2022 00:15:09 +0000 After two incredible weeks of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, it’s all finally coming to an end. The Games will officially finish at the “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium with a closing ceremony at 8pm on Sunday. As with February 4’s opening ceremony, this showpiece will be helmed by famed Chinese director Zhang Yimou, who is planning to put on a display that embodies the mantra of “simple, safe and splendid” – as with the rest of these Games, because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Here are five things... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3167699/winter-olympics-five-things-watch-out-beijing-2022-closing-ceremony?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3167699/winter-olympics-five-things-watch-out-beijing-2022-closing-ceremony?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Feb 2022 22:00:24 +0000 Only two days of competition are left, but the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics is not short of excitement on Saturday. On Friday, China’s freestyle skiing superstar Eileen Gu Ailing won her second gold medal of these Games, and third overall, with an outstanding score of 95.5 in the half-pipe final. In the pairs short programme, Chinese figure skaters Sui Wenjing and Han Cong smashed their own world record, posting a score of 84.41 to take the lead ahead of tonight’s free skate, which starts at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3167647/winter-olympics-five-things-watch-day-15-sui-wenjing-and-han-cong-go?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3167647/winter-olympics-five-things-watch-day-15-sui-wenjing-and-han-cong-go?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Feb 2022 22:15:12 +0000 Hong Kong Olympic short-track speed skater Sidney Chu shared his delight and relief after learning of the government’s plans to build its first international standard ice skating rink. Following Team Hong Kong’s last competition at the Beijing Games, chef de mission Karl Kwok Chi-leung revealed plans for a rink in Pak Shek, Tai Po while also boasting the Hong Kong Sports Federation and Olympic Committee’s “communication with relevant ice and snow project leaders” in China. Though there is no... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3167455/winter-olympics-hong-kongs-plans-top-class-ice-rink-gift-and-leap?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3167455/winter-olympics-hong-kongs-plans-top-class-ice-rink-gift-and-leap?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Feb 2022 00:15:23 +0000 The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics might be approaching its end, but there’s no shortage of exciting competition and races to watch on Friday. On day 13, the International Olympic Committee was let off the hook somewhat, as Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva finished fourth in the women’s single skate. Canada, meanwhile, beat the USA 3-2 to win the women’s ice hockey final and reclaim its title after losing it to the Americans in 2018. China’s Eileen Gu also breezed through freeski half-pipe... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3167478/winter-olympics-five-things-watch-day-14-eileen-gu-looks-third-medal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3167478/winter-olympics-five-things-watch-day-14-eileen-gu-looks-third-medal?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Feb 2022 22:00:32 +0000 The Winter Olympics attracted almost 600 million Chinese viewers in its first week, making it the most-watched Winter Games ever, according to figures released by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). As of last Thursday, more than 515 million have tuned into the events on state-owned CCTV (China Central Television). An estimated half a billion watched the opening ceremony. In Hong Kong, the Games were broadcast exclusively on TVB, where nearly 3 million watched the opening ceremony. The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3167323/why-beijing-2022-most-watched-and-digitally-engaged-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3167323/why-beijing-2022-most-watched-and-digitally-engaged-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Feb 2022 00:15:14 +0000 Day 12 of the Olympics was an emotional roller coaster from beginning to end. Hong Kong’s Adrian Yung Hau-tsuen gave it his all in the alpine skiing slalom run finals. But sadly it wasn’t meant to be for the 17-year-old, who failed to finish his run. Of the 68 athletes in the event, 36 did not finish and make it to the final run, including China’s Xu Mingfu and Zhang Yangming. China had better luck in the men’s aerials final, where veteran Qi Guangpu finally broke through with individual gold in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3167325/winter-olympics-five-things-watch-day-13-all-eyes-kamila-valieva-free?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3167325/winter-olympics-five-things-watch-day-13-all-eyes-kamila-valieva-free?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Feb 2022 22:00:08 +0000 As the Games moved closer towards a crescendo, Day 11 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics provided plenty more drama. Fan-favourite Eileen Gu secured her second medal on Tuesday, with a silver in the women’s freeski slopestyle final, while Su Yiming soared to gold in the snowboard big air. Their compatriot Rong Ge also made a breakthrough, finishing fifth in the women’s snowboard big air with a combined 160.00 points. Later in the day, embattled Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva finished... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3167193/winter-olympics-five-things-watch-day-12-china-goes-gold-speedskating?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3167193/winter-olympics-five-things-watch-day-12-china-goes-gold-speedskating?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Feb 2022 01:07:05 +0000 Three-time Olympian Aaron Blunck said he was suspended from Twitter after he and his US ski teammates praised China for its “stellar” operations at the Olympic Village. “They have honestly done a stellar job with the whole Covid protocol,” the 25-year-old told reporters in the press room, before criticising biased coverage of the Games. “I didn’t really know what to expect, being stateside you’ve kind of heard some pretty bad media, and that is completely false – it’s actually been... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3167144/winter-olympics-us-skier-says-twitter-account-suspended-after-he?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3167144/winter-olympics-us-skier-says-twitter-account-suspended-after-he?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Feb 2022 11:09:42 +0000 Across two pandemic Olympics set in Asian countries, Asian-American woman fronting the Games have encountered a whiplashing duality – prized on the global stage for their medal-winning talent, buffeted by the escalating crisis of racist abuse at home. The world’s most elite and international sporting event, which pits athletes and countries against each other, underscores along the way the crude reality that many Asian women face: of only being seen when they have something to offer. “It’s like... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166876/winter-olympics-top-asian-american-women-struggle-deal-duality-racism?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166876/winter-olympics-top-asian-american-women-struggle-deal-duality-racism?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Feb 2022 10:15:12 +0000 Day 7 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics saw some amazing achievements on the snow and the ice. The Netherlands’ Suzanne Schulting shattered her own 1,000m short-track speedskating world record in the event’s semi-finals, and went on to win gold. Hong Kong’s Sidney Chu then made his debut at the men’s 500m event, but was eliminated in his heat, despite a valiant effort. Ayumu Hirano of Japan made history by becoming the first Olympian to land a front-side triple cork 1440 in snowboarding, and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166783/winter-olympics-five-things-watch-day-8-china-goes-more-medals-skeleton?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166783/winter-olympics-five-things-watch-day-8-china-goes-more-medals-skeleton?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Feb 2022 23:00:26 +0000 Last hurrahs, returns to form and Olympic debuts, there was something for everyone on Friday at the Beijing Games, where a snowboard legend bid the sport goodbye, the spectre of Russian doping reared its ugly head once again and China won a first sliding medal in the skeleton. Sidney Chu’s first appearance at a Games was over in a flash, and unfortunately the 44.857 seconds it took him to complete his short-track speedskating 500m heat was not nearly fast enough. The Hongkonger’s time in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166773/winter-olympics-historic-first-sliding-medal-china-day-seven-shaun?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166773/winter-olympics-historic-first-sliding-medal-china-day-seven-shaun?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Feb 2022 15:32:15 +0000 How time flies – we’re now a week into the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Day 6 was another thriller, with “Quad King” Nathan Chen of the US clinching gold in the men’s figure skating free skate. The event also saw defending champion Yuzuru Hanyu attempt and fail to land a quadruple axel, much to the disappointment of the Japanese superstar and his adoring fans. Elsewhere, China won silver in the mixed team freestyle skiing aerials final, in what was the event’s debut at the Olympics. Friday is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166608/winter-olympics-five-things-watch-day-7-hong-kongs-sidney-chu-makes-his?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166608/winter-olympics-five-things-watch-day-7-hong-kongs-sidney-chu-makes-his?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Feb 2022 23:26:16 +0000 American Nathan Chen earned a standing ovation as he danced to figure skating glory while China’s mixed aerial team narrowly missed out on gold after failing to dislodge the USA in their final jump at the Beijing Winter Olympics on Thursday. The 22-year-old Chen made up for his failure four years ago with a scintillating free skate in which he landed all five quads during his Elton John Rocketman programme, scoring 332.60 points – just three off his own world record. He became the first American... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166581/winter-olympics-figure-skater-nathan-chen-steals-show-day-six-chinas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166581/winter-olympics-figure-skater-nathan-chen-steals-show-day-six-chinas?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Feb 2022 14:04:58 +0000 China has long trumpeted its claim that this year’s Winter Olympics will be the greenest Games ever, and even proposed a flameless cauldron at the opening ceremony as a nod to being environmentally friendly. And even for the International Olympic Committee, who are very vocal about their commitment to being carbon-neutral, and insist hosts are equally climate conscious, that was a step too far. As it was, the tiny Olympic flame still raised eyebrows, as did famed Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166352/tiny-olympic-flame-shines-light-beijing-claim-will-be-greenest-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166352/tiny-olympic-flame-shines-light-beijing-claim-will-be-greenest-games?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Feb 2022 23:15:26 +0000 Day 4 of the Olympics provided more golden glory for China, with teen sensation Eileen Gu taking home her first Winter Olympics title in freestyle skiing big air. Now it’s time for Hong Kong to make its bow in Beijing, with skier Audrey King making her Olympic debut in the slalom on Wednesday. Elsewhere, US snowboarding legend Shaun White – who has announced he will retire after these Games – will be hoping for one final hurrah in the half-pipe. You can also expect some fierce competition in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166306/winter-olympics-five-things-watch-day-5-hong-kong-finally-joins-fray?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166306/winter-olympics-five-things-watch-day-5-hong-kong-finally-joins-fray?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Feb 2022 22:00:16 +0000 Day 3 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics was another action-packed affair, with more success for China on the slopes and the ice. Snowboarder Su Yiming got off to a strong start after he bagged a historic silver medal in the men’s snowboard slopestyle final – which could have been gold, if not for a “glaring judging error”. The Games host later won its second gold and silver in the evening, after speed skaters Ren Ziwei and Li Wenlong were awarded the top two spots on the podium in dramatic... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166170/winter-olympics-five-things-watch-day-4-eileen-gu-yuzuru-hanyu-take?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166170/winter-olympics-five-things-watch-day-4-eileen-gu-yuzuru-hanyu-take?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Feb 2022 22:00:17 +0000 There’s a lot more to the Winter Olympics beyond the breathtaking jumps on ski slopes and whirring spins on ice rinks. The sporting spectacle could not have been the international marvel it stands to be without the hard work and meticulous planning of volunteers and organisers behind the scenes. For this Olympics, however, it’s not simply a celebration of humanity, it is also about marvellous machines as robot helpers oil the operational gears of the Games. Daily life in the “closed loop” may... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166079/winter-olympics-marvellous-machines-keeping-games-moving-right?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166079/winter-olympics-marvellous-machines-keeping-games-moving-right?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Feb 2022 06:15:18 +0000 Dinigeer Yilamujiang, a cross-country skier of Uygur descent representing China, was not picked as one of the two final torch-bearers at the opening ceremony of Beijing Winter Games for her ethnicity, the International Olympic Committee, has said. Yilamujiang inserted the last torch in the Olympic cauldron on Friday, prompting some to speculate whether China was using her to respond to accusations that it violated human rights of Uygurs in “re-education camps” in Xinjiang, which China repeatedly... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166004/winter-olympics-ioc-says-dinigeer-yilamujiang-ethnicity-not-factor-her?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166004/winter-olympics-ioc-says-dinigeer-yilamujiang-ethnicity-not-factor-her?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Feb 2022 08:15:17 +0000 As Olympic chiefs confirmed they would meet Peng Shuai, activist group Global Athlete used the tennis player as an example to remind competitors at the Winter Games to refrain from talking about human rights while in China. The well-being of Peng, a three-time Olympian, became a matter of concern in November when, according to the Women’s Tennis Association, she appeared to allege on social media that a former Chinese vice-premier, Zhang Gaoli, had sexually assaulted her in the past. Her post... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166003/winter-olympics-peng-shuai-meeting-go-ahead-ioc-says-activist-group?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3166003/winter-olympics-peng-shuai-meeting-go-ahead-ioc-says-activist-group?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Feb 2022 07:07:45 +0000 Every now and then there comes along an underdog who steals the show. At the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, the ultimate underdog emerged as the outright hero of the Games, and he is still almost as popular today as he was 34 years ago. His name is Michael ‘Eddie’ Edwards, then a young British ski jumper who was to be rebranded by the media as “Eddie the Eagle”. During those Games he would become a mascot like superhero of the Olympics. And fame was not because of his skill as a ski jumper. In... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3165936/eddie-eagle-how-worlds-most-famous-underdog-overcame-jealousy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3165936/eddie-eagle-how-worlds-most-famous-underdog-overcame-jealousy?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Feb 2022 00:15:21 +0000 While Chinese social media users have praised the smaller-than-expected Olympic flame unveiled at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, it was subject to plenty of ridicule outside the mainland by viewers who expected the usual giant cauldron. But famed Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou, the director behind the opening ceremony, told multiple Chinese media outlets the smaller flame had to defy Olympic traditions to reduce carbon emissions. The International Olympic Committee (IOC)... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3165949/tiny-olympic-flame-mocked-director-zhang-yimou-says-it-sets-new?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3165949/tiny-olympic-flame-mocked-director-zhang-yimou-says-it-sets-new?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Feb 2022 10:58:57 +0000 The opening ceremony began with a dazzling display of fireworks, lights and song, but not everyone’s eyes were on the dancers and singers. Chinese social media site, Weibo, took off as online users discussed some of the best looking uniforms and also best looking athletes. Nathan Crumpton, American Samoa’s flag bearer, drew unsurprising attention after entering shirtless, but one of the hottest trends turned out to be Hong Kong’s own Sidney Chu, who turned heads for simply being handsome. In... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3165923/trending-china-weibo-users-delight-handsome-hong-kong-winter-olympian?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3165923/trending-china-weibo-users-delight-handsome-hong-kong-winter-olympian?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Feb 2022 04:49:37 +0000 Beijing put on a spectacular and stirring show of technology and artistry at the opening of the Winter Olympics on Friday as President Xi Jinping presided over a ceremony attended by world leaders and an invite-only crowd on a below-freezing evening in the Chinese capital. If the breathtaking 2008 Games ceremony was China’s coming out party, Friday’s 2022 gala, both designed by creative muse Zhang Yimou, served to magnify Beijing’s achievement of becoming the only city to host the Summer and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3165889/beijing-2022-opening-ceremony-serves-dazzling-night-tech-light-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3165889/beijing-2022-opening-ceremony-serves-dazzling-night-tech-light-and?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Feb 2022 16:23:28 +0000 The 10 sets of siblings representing Japan at the Beijing Winter Olympics will use their family links to bring out the best in each other, with some tapping into long-standing rivalries while others work together for a common goal. At the Tokyo Games, there were 11 sets of Japanese siblings, but also a much larger team of 583 total athletes. This time the percentage is higher, with one-sixth of the team made up of siblings. Of the 124 athletes on Japan’s Winter Games team, 20 are competing with... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3165819/beijing-winter-olympics-20-japanese-siblings-chase-glory-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3165819/beijing-winter-olympics-20-japanese-siblings-chase-glory-and?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Feb 2022 07:31:24 +0000