As long as the athletes understand and work together with each other, nothing could stop them from chasing their dreams nor deprive them of their rights to participate in the Olympics, says former IOC member and Olympic champion Yang Yang.
BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Former member of the International Olympic Committee, Yang Yang, who serves as the chairwoman of the Athletes Committee of Beijing Organizing Committee for Beijing 2022 and the vice president of the World Anti-doping Agency, recently recalled her experience of healing from the trauma of terrorism and claiming the first Winter Olympic gold medal for China in the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. She believes that as long as the athletes understand and work together with each other, nothing could stop them from chasing their dreams nor deprive them of their rights to participate in the Olympics.
Full text:
I'm Yang Yang, a former member of China's national short-track speed skating team.
My 500m gold medal at Salt Lake 2002 was China's first-ever gold medal at a Winter Olympic Games. Even now, it's hard for me to believe that I made that history, but it's really me.
Having gone through the painful experience of disqualification in two individual events in 1998 Nagano, I decided to go forward and fight for another four years. It required a lot of effort and sacrifices, but I didn't want to give up my dream.
From 1998 to 2002, before the Winter Olympic Games, I swept all the individual all-around gold medals at the World Championships and the finals of the World Cup.
Coming into 2001, the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics was approaching. Everything in my life revolved around the Winter Olympics. And I tried my best to prepare for the Olympics.
On the night of September 11th, I finished a day of training and was maintaining my skates in my dormitory while watching TV. At first, everything was usual, but suddenly, the news was interrupted. A few seconds later, there were reports of the terrorist attacks on Manhattan, New York.
Although we were on the other side of the world, we still deeply felt the chaos and sadness there. I also sent messages to several American friends asking if they were okay.
Amid the horror of terrorism, the upcoming Winter Olympic Games was full of uncertainties. We worried about security issues, but we also believed that the Organizing Committee had the ability to ensure our safety. Therefore, our training continued, and so did my dream.
I remember we had an Olympic qualification in Salt Lake City before the Games. We obviously felt that the visa was much more difficult to get than usual. However, we all understood and cooperated actively.
The Salt Lake Winter Olympics were held as scheduled under the shadow of the terror threat. Before the departure, everyone was worried. One of my teammates even said that he wanted to leave his deposit for his family in case something went wrong.
When our team arrived in Salt Lake City, the celebration of the Winter Olympics was carried out under very strict security procedures. For the first time, I saw so many serious security personnel with real guns and police dogs. All these measures increased the tension of the Olympics, and to be honest, we were also very nervous at that time, but we all chose to believe in the host nation and cooperate actively.
Finally, I stood on the ice at Salt Lake City in 2002 and also stood on its podium with China's first gold medal at the Winter Olympic Games.
My dreams came true.
That experience made me learn that fear will not weaken our determination but make it stronger. Terrorism couldn't stop us from chasing our dreams. As long as we understood each other and worked together, no difficulties could defeat us. No one has the right to take away our rights athletes' rights to participate in the Olympics. No one.
At the beginning of 2020, the sudden COVID-19 pandemic stopped most sporting events and activities. The Tokyo Olympic Games were postponed, and the world also had many uncertainties. It is a hard time for most athletes, but what I have seen was that they stick to their dreams. Let's work together, support each other, and do our best to go to the Tokyo Olympics.
I was honored to be the chairwoman of the Athletes Committee of the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee. And it's my pleasure to serve the athletes. It's very exciting.
In the past season, some winter sporting events have gradually recovered. I was surprised to see that most athletes still are still in very good form and full of passion. I believe they have overcome many difficulties. I am really proud of them. The dreams are there and the Winter Olympics must be there too!
This is China's National Speed Skating Oval which is the venue for Beijing 2022. Next year I'll be here to witness your dreams come true.
This is the honor of myself and also the honor of the Olympics!
