Tracking Italy's skating talent

Chinese coach Qi Mengyao is relishing her role as a mentor to the 2026 Olympic host's rising stars

When Qi Mengyao stepped onto the ice at the 2025 ISU World Short Track Championships in Beijing, few would have guessed that the coach guiding Italy's rising stars once dreamed of representing China as an athlete.

Now, the 37-year-old from Changchun has carved out an unlikely path from unheralded skater, to architect of Italy's Olympic ambitions.

At last month's worlds, her squad — a blend of raw talent and experienced veterans — claimed silver in the mixed team relay and bronze in the men's 1,000m, signaling Italy's growing threat ahead of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.