Lighting the way

The aim is for that number to reach 5,000 by 2025, according to the Beijing 2022 organizing committee.

In his speech at the Games closing ceremony on Feb 20, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach welcomed China as a winter sport country, stressing that with about one quarter of China's total population introduced to ice and snow sports, the global winter sports landscape has changed forever.

With sports participation now embraced in China as a lifestyle choice, international governing bodies have discovered new frontiers to expand their global presence.

"I think we have a phenomenal opportunity to make China a superpower in winter sports," Johan Eliasch, president of the International Ski Federation, said during Beijing 2022.