"The Olympic Games is a stage for the athletes, as their fighting spirit will inspire more people to face challenges positively and work hard to solve difficulties, especially for kids who look up to athletes as role models," says Yang Yang, China's first-ever Winter Olympics gold medalist who graduated from Tsinghua in 2007. Currently, she serves as the vice president of the World Anti-Doping Agency and chairwoman of the Athlete Commission of 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games Organizing Committee.
As one of the most accomplished short-track speed skaters of all time, Yang claimed her dominance with 59 world titles, including six consecutive World Championships. Actively involved in sports organizations after retirement, she was elected as a member of the International Olympics Committee in 2010 and became a Council Member of the International Skating Union in 2016, which both contributed to her dedication to the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Currently, busy assisting in organizing the Winter Olympics, she has made more than 40 proposals, ranging from preparing supplies to ensuring adequate equipment and helping create the menu for the Olympic Village. Also taking part in the torch relay, she says, “We are ready to welcome the best athletes from all over the world to meet in Beijing and light the Olympic passion once again.”
