Yang Yang, the queen of short track speed skating
Date: Vendredi, février 03 @ 21:59:23 PST :: Topic: short track
 Yang Yang (A) has dominated short track speed skating for many years. She won 6 world championship in a row (1997-2002) and get 2 olympic gold and one silver in Salt Lake City Olympics. From Italy, she answered our questions and talk us about her career and the sport of speed skating in China.
by Jean-Michel Lachance
You have been and continue to be a dominant figure in short track speed skating, what did lead you to start speed skating?
I started skating when I was eight. There was a skating field (outdoor) between my home and school, and I had to pass it everyday. I saw people skate there and I was inspired by the feeling of flying on the ice. At the same time, the coach came to my school to select athlete. Of course, I signed up. I was selected with other about 40 kids. Then we had tranining camp for weeks and then there were 8 left. I was one of them.
You are qualified for the 1000 and 1500m, are you confident in your chances of medal in any of these distance?
Every time I race, my goal only is doing my best and go for winning. It makes the games more enjoyable and the experience is more valuable.
What is your worst and best moment in regard of your carreer in sport?
The worst moment was the race in 1000m in 1998 Nagano Olympics. I won but I got DQ for the bad call from refree. The best moment is the games in Salt Lake city. I won the first gold medal in winter sports for my country. I am really proud of that.
Can you describe us what is the situation of speed skating in your country?
Skating is a not very big sports in China. we have over 30 provinces, but only the 3 provinces from North of China have skating team. we have about 400 registered shortrackers. We have about 10 standard ice rink.
What do you think about the sport in general?
The environment of sports today is different than before. It contain
everything, such as the spirit of life, ecnomics, doping... and they
all seem related. but for me, the core of the sport is the spirit.
without spirit, the sport will die out.
What do you want to do after your sport career?
I still have one year to go for my school. My major is economics management. Sport maketing is pretty new in China, but it growing very fast. I hope I can be involved. I want to have family. It is important for me. I would love to put it be the No. 1 in my life.
Major achievements (source Cyberscoreboard)
| Competition Type |
Season |
Description |
| Goodwill Games |
2000 |
Gold 1000m, Bronze 500m |
| Olympic Games |
2002 |
Gold 500m, Gold 1000m, Silver 3000m Relay |
|
1998 |
Silver 3000m Relay |
| World Championships |
2005 |
5th Overall, 1st 500m, 2nd 3000 M Relay |
|
2003 |
2nd Overall, 3rd 1500m, 1st 500m, 3rd 1000m, 1st 3000 M Relay |
|
2002 |
1st Overall, 1st 1500m, 1st 500m, 1st 1000m |
|
2001 |
1st Overall, 2nd 500m, 1st 1000m, 1st 1500m, 1st 3000m |
|
2000 |
1st Overall, 1st 1000m, 1st 1500m, 2nd 3000m |
|
1999 |
1st Overall, 1st 500m, 1st 1000m, 2nd 1500m, 1st 3000m,1st Relay |
|
1998 |
1st Overall, 1st 1000m, 1st 1500m, 2nd 3000m, 1st 3000m Relay |
|
1997 |
1st Overall, 1st 500m, 1st 1000m, 3rd 3000m |
Photo: Yang Yang (A) at Salt Lake City Olympics
Credit: Peter Reath, View Calgary
|