'Swiss Comedian' brings the laughs, leaves with love

Snowboarder wowed by reception after his fun-loving antics win Chinese hearts

Swiss snowboarder Nicolas Huber, who became an internet sensation on Chinese social media during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, said he was deeply impressed by the Games and hopes to return to the country to enjoy more fun in the future.

"All the Chinese, they're always so nice to me. I was really amazed also by all these volunteers who were helping out. So what you guys provided for us was really cool," Huber told China Daily in an exclusive online interview on Friday.

"I always want to come back to China. I would also love to explore different parts of the country. I really love Beijing. I would also like to see the Chinese countryside, like there's so many different things to see in China. If we can go back that would be nice."

Huber's videos documenting his journey to the Beijing Winter Games went viral on Chinese social media, with the 27-year-old donning weird and wonderful costumes－much to the amusement of volunteers, Games staff and netizens.

The head-to-toe tiger suit worn by the fun-loving Swiss during his downtime at Genting Snow Park in Zhangjiakou was a particular fan favorite. The suit later gained more fame when injured French snowboarder Lucile Lefevre wore it during her final run on the Shougang Big Air ramp.

Huber explained that his video creations are a long-running hobby of his.

"I've been producing similar videos for like a couple of years already. I've always loved to do funny videos with different costumes and just entertain people. Actually on my trip to China, I had two costumes. So there was the Swiss suit and I had the tiger," said Huber, who made his Winter Olympic debut at the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang.

Chinese fans have been so taken with Huber that he is known by a number of nicknames, including "The Swiss Comedian" and "Hubercop" (his Instagram handle).

"That's pretty funny. The 'Swiss Comedian' is also a cool nickname to be honest. I don't have a favorite nickname, but yeah, I'm happy if the people are more creative and maybe I get some more names," he said.

Huber's comedy antics, however, are just a sideshow to the serious business of snowboarding.

He was disappointed to finish 14th in the men's Big Air and 20th in the slopestyle, but his Beijing 2022 experience has only made him more determined to keep aiming for improvements.

"To be honest, it was not the result I wanted. I was trying really hard. I gave it all I had. In the end, I was so close to making the finals, (missing out by) like three points. Obviously I was disappointed," said Huber.

"I showed my best snowboarding. So I'm really motivated to go even harder. I will keep practicing and keep fighting for what I dream of."

But while the results didn't quite go his way this time, it's clear Huber's passion for snowboarding goes beyond the athletic realm and is invested with a kind of spiritual importance for him.

"Snowboarding for me is the ultimate freedom, because you can do whatever you like. There's no one telling you what you have to do," Huber said.

"I can just encourage people to start snowboarding and I think it's so nice because there's no end. There's always something new you can do, like going to a new mountain, learning a new trick. There are endless opportunities in the sport."

Feel-good factor

Huber also believes the staging of Beijing 2022 amid the COVID-19 pandemic was hugely significant and conveyed a positive message to the world.

"I think the Winter Olympics are so important because we like to encourage people to work together," he said.

"We stand for peace, for passion, for love, for like unity. Even though you are not from the same place and you have different ideas, there's always a way to work with each other.

"So I think the Olympics are a strong message for the world that we are one and we got to work together.

"That's the only way we're going to evolve as human beings."

Despite the strict COVID-19 rules in place to ensure the safety of all participants, Huber enjoyed his stay in the Olympic Village and is already craving the local cuisine again.

"I actually do miss this one dish in the Olympic Village. And it was called like a hot pot with the dumplings. Like there were some dumplings inside, some leaves and some meat. It was so good with some different sauces and that's a dish I really miss," Huber said.

"In general, I think Chinese food is so amazing. I remember once I was having like Beijing duck, that was the best piece of meat that I've ever had.

"I really loved it, and I can't wait to come back to China.

"I just want to thank all the volunteers and everybody who made the Beijing Winter Olympics so special and make that happen. Thank you so much."