CRI听力:Ice-sports Become Popular in Beijing

When the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games took place, it was clear that China had been the perfect hosts for the Summer games. Take a look around the city and across the country now and you can still see the legacy of the games – young people playing basketball in the park, children taking swimming lessons and of course the Birds Nest and Water Cube.

As Beijing seeks to become the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics, it's hoped that the Olympic legacy can continue into the winter sports world.

The interest in winter sports is already seeing an increase.

Mrs. Liang is a parent who enrolled her daughter in ice skating classes at Beijing's Capital Gymnasium.

"I think skating is not just a skill, it's fun and a workout for your body. Unlike the time when I was a kid, now we have good facilities and coaches. My child loves it as well. So she picked up skating while enjoying it. When she grows up, it would be a relaxing activity when she feels tired after work or study."

Mrs. Liang is not the only parent who has enrolled her child in a winter sport. The only concern is that ice-sports are still currently underdeveloped in China.

The country is lacking highly-qulified coaches to meet the demand.

Even in Beijing, a megacity with 20 million residents, there are only 20 or so indoor ice rinks open throughout the year. That's why Fan Jun, the owner of a skating club is hoping Beijing will win the bid for the Winter Olympic Games in 2022.

"Should Beijing succeed, there's no doubt that ice-sports would be greatly propelled in Beijing or even across whole China. To build and maintain an ice rink is costly. The Olympics would promote the facilites in the first place, it will surely foster the market and make these sports known and accepted by people as well."

It's thought that winning the bid could bring ice-sports to an estimated 300 million people across China.

The winning host city bid is set to be announced on July 31. Beijing and Almaty, Kazakstan are the two candidate cities for hosting the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

For CRI. I'm Yuyang.