Shen and Zhao 'getting back to work'

Beijing hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics has inspired China's retired champion figure skating couple to redouble their effort to promote the sport nationwide.

Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo, who struck gold at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, were ecstatic when IOC president Thomas Bach announced on July 31 last year that Beijing would host the 2022 Games.

"I still remember the first thing I said after the cheering was that it was time for us to be getting back to work," said Shen, who retired with pairs partner and husband Zhao after winning China's first gold medal in figure skating.

Zhao, who has become a national team coach, agreed with his wife that Beijing's preparation for 2022 has opened many opportunities.

"Probably we will have more things to do than before retirement. Our country has vowed to develop winter sports to a competitive level while encouraging mass participation in the lead up to the Games, and we have every reason to be part of it," said Zhao.

Inspired by President Xi Jinping's call to boost sports development, China aims to involve 300 million people in winter sports exercise and entertainment by 2022.

Though retired from the international stage, Shen and Zhao have built their own platform, a traveling figure skating show called 'Amazing on Ice', to help reach that goal.

Launched by the couple in 2010, the annual tour kicks off its seventh edition on Friday at Beijing's Capital Gymnasium with a high-profile cast of global talent, including two-time men's singles Olympic champion Evgeni Plushenko of Russia, Swiss spin specialist Stephane Lambiel and US Olympic ice dancing champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White.

According to 'Amazing on Ice' promoter and sports management company SECA, the show has attracted more than 180,000 spectators in five Chinese cities over the past six years.

Shen and Zhao expect it to keep growing.

"With more people getting interested in winter sports, especially figure skating, the show can build greater connection between what was once a niche sport and a growing number of fans," said Shen, who is now working as an official with China's winter sports administrative center.

"It helps boost the public participation as well as commercial revenue of the sport,"

The couple said the show can also expose China's new generation of skaters to some of the world's best.

"Our young skaters are good in routines but poor in artistic expression," said Zhao, who serves as artistic director of the show.

"Observing and learning how foreign stars enjoy themselves on ice will help China's young skaters better present their talent and learn to interact with the judges and spectators."

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn