Gao Tingyu of China celebrates after the Olympic Winter Games speed skating men's 500m event at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Feb. 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Cheng Tingting)
Having won the speed skating men's 500m gold on home ice at Beijing 2022, Gao Tingyu has set his eyes on title defense at Milan-Cortina four years later and on his dream to become an icon for the sport.
BEIJING, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Gao Tingyu can still feel the excitement he felt during his gold-winning performance at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
On February 12, Gao took the speed skating men's 500m gold in an Olympic record time of 34.32 seconds at the National Speed Skating Oval on home ice, becoming the first Chinese male skater to win an Olympic gold.
"I dare not to think about it. What a moment," the 24-year-old told Xinhua in an exclusive interview, adding that he seldom watched the video of that competition.
Gao Tingyu competes during the Olympic speed skating men's 500m at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Feb. 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Cheng Tingting)
The breakthrough gave Gao, flagbearer of the Chinese delegation at the opening ceremony, the privilege to carry the Chinese flag again at the closing ceremony. Proud as he is, he keeps calm.
"Thinking about that makes me happy for about five minutes, and then I'm ready to move on and start from zero towards my next target," Gao said.
Gao made himself known after winning a bronze medal at PyeongChang 2018 as a dark horse, but he knew he was capable of better.
Third-placed Gao Tingyu poses for photos during the men's 500m speed skating medal ceremony of the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games at Medal Plaza, PyeongChang, South Korea, Feb. 20, 2018. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Determined to change the color of his medal, Gao had a hard time struggling with his recurrent waist injury. In 2020, the Heilongjiang-born spent eight months with his provincial team, living a simple life between a dormitory, cafeteria, training center and clinic. Acupuncture marks from treatment packed his waist.
He confessed that he had doubts if he could continue his career, and it was his coach Liu Guangbin that encouraged him to carry on.
"But for him, I would have already retired," he admitted.
Gao Tingyu (L) of China and his coach Liu Guangbin (R) react after the speed skating men's 500m event at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Feb. 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)
Liu became Gao's coach when the speed skating talent entered the Heilongjiang provincial team at the age of 14. Ten years of collaboration have built a close bond and trust between them.
"It's like at home with my father. I only need a simple gesture, and he knows what I'm up to," Gao said.
In these ten years, Gao had never seen coach Liu cry until the results of the last pair, Laurent Dubreuil and Tatsuya Shinhama, appeared on the big screen in the "Ice Ribbon."
Gao was the champion! He let out a roar before embracing his coach, with the pair sharing tears.
Gao Tingyu of China celebrates after winning the speed skating men's 500m event at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Feb. 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)
Now the two-time Olympic medalist is getting ready to embark on a new journey with his trusted coach towards Milano Cortina 2026.
"I will try my best to defend the title," said Gao, labeling the achievement that no athlete has ever achieved since 1992 "a small challenge" for him.
Deep in his heart, he dreams of something bigger.
"I want to become a speed skating icon, someone that people think of when they mention this sport." ■
