Chinese athletes set to break new ice

In freestyle skiing aerials, in which China is always strong, Sochi Olympic silver medalist Xu Mengtao settled for bronze at the worlds and Qi Guangpu defended his world title in the men's event with the most difficult jump in the world.

In team events, the young Chinese competitors still have work to do.

The women's curling team finished fourth at the World Championships with a newly formed squad, while the men's team finished eighth.

The women's ice hockey team failed to reach the World Championship Division I Group A by finishing third at the Group B matches in April.

China's winter sports authority is planning to add two new sports to its training schedule - luge and bobsleigh.

"We still have no team for these two sports but if we want to host the Winter Olympics, we have to take them into consideration," Ren said.

"We are now contacting the international federations and selecting players. Foreign coaches will be ready to work in June. But it will still be difficult for us to compete at the 2018 Winter Games. We will try to make our debut at the 2022 Winter Olympics."

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn