Harbin Asian Winter Games registration hits record high

The 9th Asian Winter Games, scheduled to be held in Harbin city from Feb 7 to 14, will see the highest participation in the event's history, with 34 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from various countries and regions registered to compete.

This is according to an announcement by the organization committee of the 9th Asian Winter Games on Sept 19.

China, Japan, and South Korea have registered for all events. Alpine skiing has attracted the most participants with 25 NOC registrations, followed by short-track speed skating and figure skating with 21 registrations each, cross-country skiing with 18, and snowboarding with 16.

This edition of the Asian Winter Games marks another significant international winter sports event in China following the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Approved by the Olympic Council of Asia, the 9th Asian Winter Games will feature six major categories and 11 sub-categories. There will be 64 events, including speed skating, short-track speed skating, figure skating, ice hockey, curling, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, freestyle skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, and ski mountaineering.

Notably, mixed doubles curling, ski mountaineering, and synchronized aerials in freestyle skiing will debut as Asian Winter Games events.

Bai Zhiguo, deputy secretary-general of the 9th Asian Winter Games Organizing Committee, revealed that the competition venues will be divided between Harbin and the Yabuli Ski Resort. Harbin will host the ice events, while Yabuli will host the snow events.

All competition venues are undergoing upgrades in areas such as refrigeration, dehumidification, lighting, heating, internet, and functional rooms while also utilizing existing facilities.

Renovation projects are nearing completion, with the Harbin Ice Hockey Arena and the Yabuli ski mountaineering venue already passing inspections. The remaining venues are expected to be completed by the end of September.

From September this year to January next year, 14 test events for individual sports will be successively held.