Former Hungary head coach to lead China’s short track training camp, as nation ramps up preparations for 2026 Winter Olympics
- Zhang Jing helped Hungarian brothers Sandor Liu Shaolin and Liu Shaoang shine at Beijing Winter Olympics
- Zhang represented China at the 1994 Winter Games in Lillehammer and helped Hungary win its first short-track gold in 2018
Former Chinese Olympian Zhang Jing has been put in charge of putting the country’s short-track speedskaters through their paces at a national camp in Beijing, as the squad begins preparing for the next Winter Games.
It is expected to last for one month with one part focusing on basic fitness training and the next centring on athletes, who have met the required standard, participating in skate training.
Those who do not meet the standard are expected to be sent home to their respective provincial teams.
Zhang represented China at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. After retirement, she coached the Hungarian men’s short-track speedskating team in 2012 and led them to win the country’s historic first Olympic short track gold in the men’s 5,000m relay at Pyeongchang 2018.
During Beijing 2022, Hungary won one gold and two bronze medals in short track under Zhang’s tutelage.
After taking two gold, one silver and one bronze medal from 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, China has not yet decided the head coach for the Milano-Cortina 2026 cycle. According to the team manager, the coaching team composition is still under discussion, and Zhang will be in charge of the general training plan and assessment criteria of this camp.