Zhang named to IOC post

"A big turning point, and an absolutely extraordinary day," Chinese speed skater Zhang Hong said after being appointed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) athletes' commission in Pyeongchang, South Korea on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Zhang was nominated by IOC president Thomas Bach.

"I want to thank president Bach for trusting me and supporting the Chinese athletes," said Zhang, adding that she would continue the work of her predecessor, short-track skater Yang Yang, and try to make a contribution to the development of Chinese sports.

Four years ago, Zhang claimed China's first ever Olympic speed skating title by winning the women's 1,000m at the Sochi Winter Olympics.

According to Zhang, that was both the peak of her athletic career and a turning point in her life.

"Over the past four years I have experienced a lot, not only victories, but also setbacks and injuries. Especially in the last year and a half, when my knees hurt every day," said Zhang.

Due to her injuries, Zhang finished 11th and 15th in the 1,000m and 500m at the Pyeongchang Games, but she believes that just being able to compete here was a victory.

"I feel honored to be able to participate in my second Olympics," she said. "It's not just about the medal, but more about the Olympic spirit."

Zhang claimed Sunday's election was "actually a bigger turning point" in her life compared to four years ago, now that she represents not only herself but other athletes.

"I want to fit in this big family (the IOC) as soon as possible and find out the things that I should do and the choices that I should make," she said.

Having spent 22 years on the ice, Zhang said skating is an inseparable part of her life.

"If I get up one day and don't skate, I don't know what to do with my day. It would feel like missing something," she said.

"I really want to compete as an athlete at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, but if my knees won't allow it, I want to keep involved in the sport I love so dearly."

Zhang is already planning for life off the ice and is set to begin a master's degree in sports event management in Tsinghua University in September.

She also wants to recruit more talent for Chinese speed skating, including determining whether there are opportunities to invite short-track skaters, roller skaters and athletes from other sports.

Zhang lives a highly disciplined life. In her spare time, she loves reading and learning, with improving her English recently becoming a top priority.

"If we want to achieve anything, whether it's being a good athlete or doing a good job or learning English, they all require us to make our best efforts," she said.

Xinhua