Tibetannet

Tsering Dradul of China competes during the cross-country skiing men's sprint free qulification match of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at National Cross-country Skiing Center in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

As the first Tibetan athletes to participate in a Winter Olympics, skiers Yungkhen Lhamo and Tsering Dradul have ignited enthusiasm for winter sports in their hometown.

LHASA, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Two Tibetan skiers, Yungkhen Lhamo and Tsering Dradul, who competed at the Beijing Winter Olympics, have ignited enthusiasm for winter sports in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

Lhamo, the only Chinese player in women's snowboard cross, was injured in training before the Games and was unable to compete, while Dradul raced in the men's 15km Classic and sprint free, finishing 63rd and 60th respectively.

Their experiences and dedication inspire Tibetans to participate in winter sports.

In some communities of the Tibet Autonomous Region, people used cans to play curling games to feel the charm of the Winter Olympics. There is also a museum in Lhasa launching an exhibition on the Olympics, which aims to introduce the history of the games to tourists and locals.

"There had been no Tibet athletes at previous (Winter Olympic) Games," said Nyima Tsering, director of the region's sports bureau. Lhamo and Dradul are the first athletes participating at a Winter Olympics in Tibet's history.

Tibet has officially established three projects focused on cross-country skiing, ski mountaineering and snowboarding since 2018. There are now 24 athletes in the team, aged between 14 and 20. Lhamo and Dradul were once one of the team.

Lhamo, a footballer from Qamdo city of Tibet, switched to snowboard skiing after she was selected into the national snowboard training team in August 2018 and won a lot of relevant honors at international games in Argentina and France.

Lhamo has had to train and compete in places far away from her hometown due to the particularity of skiing. Video calls have become the vital connection between her and her families.

"As soon as we have time, we will make a video call to Lhamo," her sister Drolkar said. "Five years have passed since Lhamo left the hometown, while she has only returned home once and stayed for about three days."

Tsering Dradul of China competes during cross-country skiing men's 15km classic at National Cross-Country Skiing Center in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Hongxiang)

Snowboard cross is a sport with big risks due to high platforms, sharp curves and steep slopes. Data showed that among 2,567 athletes in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, the number injured in snowboard cross topped 35 and the sport has gradually become the most thrilling project in the Olympic Winter Games.

After the injury that forced her out of the Olympics, Lhamo told Drolkar via a video call that she would double her efforts to compete in the next Olympic Winter Games and achieve good results.

Tsering Dradul, who was used to be a middle-distance amateur runner from Nagqu city, participated in the national training team of cross-country skiing in June 2020.

The skiing is a great test of endurance and experience, because athletes are supposed to slide forward with the push of their ski poles for a dozen kilometers.

Dradul finished the Games with some regrets. "I have gained a lot of experience in this international competition. I will strive to win a prize in the next Winter Olympics for our Chinese team," he said.

"Snow sports have changed my life," Dradul said, adding that he will take his ski equipment to the children in his village and show what skiing is. He hoped that the sport could also change their lives and bring them brighter futures.

The Tibet's "nursery plan" launched by 17 Tibet-aid provinces and cities and the "big heart plan" by the China's Sport General Administration for Tibet, Qinghai and other China's western plateau areas have fostered more reserve sports talents in the region for the Winter Olympics.

With rapid development in winter sports, a passel of outstanding ice-snow athletes from Tibet are coming out of the plateau, setting sights on the world stage and embracing a brighter future.