CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Para alpine skier Liu Sitong and para snowboarder Ji Lijia have been named as China's flagbearers for the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, the Chinese delegation announced on Thursday.
"All Chinese para athletes are confident and determined. I will represent them and show our spirit to people all over the world," said Liu.
At Beijing 2022, Ji won gold in the men's snowboard cross SB-UL and silver in the banked slalom SB-UL. The 23-year-old told Xinhua that carrying the flag at the opening ceremony was a dream he had chased for years.
"I am honored. I never imagined that my dream would come true," Ji said.
Liu was the first alpine skier to represent China at a Paralympic Winter Games, making her debut at PyeongChang 2018. There, she missed a gate in the slalom but chose to climb back up the hill and finish her run.
"When I returned to the course through my own efforts, people applauded me. They encouraged me, and from then on I hoped to be among the elite athletes," Liu recalled.
At Beijing 2022, she won one silver and three bronze medals. Competing on home snow, Liu said: "I wanted to express my gratitude to my country. Because our country has encouraged over 300 million people to take part in winter sports, more persons with disabilities have had a chance to change the course of their lives."
Looking ahead to Milan-Cortina 2026, where she is scheduled to compete in five events, the 31-year-old said her focus is on enjoying the sport rather than chasing titles.
At the 2025 World Championships, Ji claimed two gold medals. As he prepares to defend his Paralympic title at Milan-Cortina 2026, he has continued to train and study since 2022, working to adapt to the slopes in Cortina during multiple training camps.
"When I stand at the start, I realize that I am the defending Paralympic champion. That title motivates me and makes me push even harder on the course," Ji said. "When I am on my snowboard, I leave all my troubles behind."
The opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will be held at Verona Olympic Arena on Friday.
China's delegation to the Games comprise 70 athletes, 90 coaches and team staff, and seven athlete guides and competition partners.
"At the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, we hope to maintain our strengths and also make breakthroughs in events where we see emerging potential," said He Yongju, a delegation official.
"I hope our athletes can enter the Games in a relaxed state, enjoy competing and realize their dreams without regret," He added. ■
