2010 Winter Olympics: Short track speed skating is 'lonely' for Han Yueshuang

Only one athlete represents Hong Kong at the Vancouver Olympic Games: short track speed skater 28-year-old Han Yueshuang. 

Han delayed retirement to make her second Olympic appearance, marking up Hong Kong’s third cameo at the Winter Olympics. But Han wasn't supposed to go to Vancouver this year. Her teammate Wang Xinyue earned the Olympic berth, but Wang was ineligible for competition without a Hong Kong passport. Han became her replacement.

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Both women emigrated from northern China -- Han from Changchun and Wang from Harbin. The International Olympic Committee granted Han a waiver to compete at the 2006 Torino Games and she is now a permanent citizen of Hong Kong. Wang had no such luck this year. The IOC rejected her appeal in December and the decision forced Han into short notice preparations. So far, Han has little to show for it other than a cold she caught during the opening ceremony as Hong Kong’s team sponsors failed to provide Han with a proper winter coat. The athlete subsequently failed to advance in either the 500 meter or 1,500 meter events.

But Han has one final chance at Olympic glory. The 1,000 meter qualifying heats on February 24 will be her last race, both of the Olympics and of her skating career. CNNGo caught Han during her preparations for her final showcase in one of the oldest sports of the Winter Olympics: short track speed skating.

CNNGo: How did you react to your disappointing first race of the Games this year?

I felt sad, but I will try to do better in the following events. I had a cold, but I couldn’t take strong medicine because of anti-doping tests. I didn’t do well, but all I can say is I will try to do better in my next race.

CNNGo: Are people surprised to see a short track speed skater from Hong Kong?

People think it’s unbelievable. They always ask, “how can you compete in a skating sport?” Most people cannot imagine that Hong Kong has the ability to send an athlete to the Winter Olympics. But we made it and participated in the 2002 Salt Lake Games, 2006 Torino Games, and now the 2010 Vancouver Games.

CNNGo: Why did you begin short track speed skating?

I like ice. I like to feel the speed when you skate. Short track speed skating can reach about 60 kilometers per hour. I like the feeling of speed, so I love this sport. The physical sensation is exciting. You can feel the speed and energy generated by your body. Skaters need to be smart and always thinking about position. If you have the opportunity to overtake another skater, you need make the decision immediately and do it. Short track speed skating is one of the best sports to combine human body power and intelligence.

CNNGo: What motivates you?

I love skating and I love Hong Kong. My motivation is to bring Hong Kong to the Olympic stage and to promote skating sports in Hong Kong. When I saw the Hong Kong flag raised up in the Olympic venues, I was overwhelmed.

CNNGo: Is it lonely to be Hong Kong’s only representative at the Winter Games?

Yes, I do feel lonely. Short track speed skating is a group sport; teammates support each other and fight other teams during the competition. I feel lonely because I cannot compete side-by-side with my teammates here in Vancouver. Also because I had to train in mainland China, and most Hong Kong skaters could not train with me.

CNNGo: How does training in Hong Kong compare to training in the Mainland?

Training in Hong Kong should be better because I live there. It is my home. But there is no standard short track speed skating rink in Hong Kong. So, I train in Harbin. The feeling is like staying in another person’s home -- you never feel entirely relaxed or comfortable like you feel in your own home. But I have no choice. When I’m in Hong Kong, I have to practice in the small rink and I cannot skate fast, otherwise I could crash against the rink board wall.

  CNNGo: You talked about possibly skating in the Asian Championships in March. Are you really going to retire from skating?

I was planning to retire before the Olympics. But then, [Wang] Xinyue couldn’t compete for Hong Kong, so I had to come. I will retire after the Winter Games. The 1,000 meter race on the 24th will be my last competitive performance.

 

The ladies' 1,000 meter heats for 2010 Winter Olympics short track speed skating will be held at 5pm Vancouver time on February 24 www.vancouver2010.com.