Impressive' China need more for Milan 2026

The Asian Winter Games closed in Harbin on Feb 14, with hosts China dominating the medal tally a year before the Olympics and the Philippines among the tropical countries making history.

- AFP, REUTERS

HARBIN - The Asian Winter Games closed in Harbin on Feb 14, with hosts China dominating the medal tally a year before the Olympics and the Philippines among the tropical countries making history.

Tightly rehearsed dancers and a digital symphony orchestra kicked off the closing ceremony, before the athletes entered the 10,000-capacity Harbin International Conference, Exhibition and Sports Centre waving flags and snapping selfies.

A huge screen displayed images of futuristic ski slopes and the words "See you in Saudi Arabia", the next Asian Winter Games hosts, and a logo for "Neom 2029".

The ninth edition of the regional Games but the first since 2017 saw China win twice as many gold medals (32) as nearest challengers South Korea, with Japan third with 10.

Even so, Zhou Jinqiang, head of China's delegation and vice-president of the Chinese Olympic Committee, called on athletes to raise standards ahead of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.