Chinese veteran short track speed skater Fan Kexin marked her comeback at the ISU Short Track World Cup in Beijing on December 9, ending her nearly two-year hiatus post the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Part of China’s gold-winning squad in the 2,000-meter mixed relay at the Olympics, Fan clinched two silver medals in her events during Saturday’s competition.
In the women’s 500 meters, Fan recorded a time of 43.117 seconds, securing the silver, closely followed by her teammate Wang Ye with a time of 43.176 seconds. After the race, Fan, a three-time Olympian, once again kissed the ice surface, expressing her love for the sport and gratitude for the overwhelming support from Chinese fans.
“I just love this ice so much. As long as I have chances to compete, I will do my best,” stated Fan, emphasizing her enjoyment of skating and the positive impact of fan support on the team’s confidence and performance.
Fan’s return to competition is seen as a boost for the Chinese women’s short track team, currently undergoing a rebuilding phase to reclaim its position at the sport’s pinnacle. Fan, along with her younger teammates, contributed to the team’s success, securing a silver medal in the 2,000-meter mixed relay at the World Cup event.
Young teammate Wang, aged 18, welcomed Fan’s return, crediting her with strengthening the team’s overall confidence. Fan emphasized the importance of tangible results and commitment in passing on the legacy of the successful Chinese short track team to the next generation.
Reflecting on the competition, Fan expressed her delight in competing alongside her young teammates and encouraged their participation in upcoming events, gradually achieving better results. The short track competitions continue to be highly popular in China, drawing near-capacity crowds eager to witness the stellar performances of the national squad. Team China secured four silver and one bronze medal in Saturday’s races, with the anticipation building for the men’s 5,000-meter relay final on Sunday.