Ice is nice for sporty students in Xinjiang

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics have led more people in China to develop a passion for ice and snow sports, including youth in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

In the region's Beitun city, where the snow season lasts for more than five months, ice sports such as speed skating and cross-country skiing have become regular activities in primary and secondary school physical education classes.

Currently, 56 primary and secondary schools and seven universities in Xinjiang are offering ice and snow sports courses, in which approximately 46,000 students participate. More than 90 schools in the region have been recognized as "National Youth Ice and Snow Sports Specialized Schools", according to the Xinjiang government.