Search begins for new skating stars
By Lei Lei (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-02-27 05:33

With Yang announcing her retirement on Saturday, Li will also be sure to take off the skates.

However, Tong refused to predict a totally gloomy future for China's short-track skaters.

"Although we haven't found talented skaters in China like Ahn and Jin, I believe that from step-by-step training, new genius will come out," Tong said. "Short-track speed skating needs the efforts from generation to generation. We will do further research on the regularity of the sport and try to resume the success for China."

He also pointed out that learning such new techniques from South Korea is the necessary way.

"Since it is hard to wholly change the skills of adult skaters, we should train the youth from the very beginning to learn the techniques from the South Koreans," Tong said. "If everything goes well, the next generation of skaters may have more chance to catch up with the world."

Women's new leader

Although the overall strength of the Chinese team is a concern to all, the ice rink of Turin saw a new leader of China's women's team.

The 500m gold medallist Wang has proved her capability to take over Yang's leading role in the team.

"Except for the disqualification in the relay, I felt I did well in my first Olympic Games," said the 20-year-old, who won three medals of each colour at the Turin Games

"While being back in China, I will train harder and unite the whole team to raise our overall strength. Trying to do well in every World Cup stage and the World Championships, I hope to beat the South Koreans in the next Olympic Games."