Beloved former athlete not snowed into one role

For Qu, who has dedicated his life to cross-country skiing, the Asian Winter Games hold deep significance. Reflecting on his journey, he shares, "I was once the athlete, focused on bringing glory to my country. Now is the time for me to serve my country from a higher vantage point."

Born in 1973 in Harbin, Qu's journey into skiing began at the age of 13 when his parents, both from a family steeped in Peking Opera, enrolled him in the local ski team.

"I'm the third child in my family and my older siblings were sent to an ice skating school," Qu recalls. "But I was the only one who made it to the national team."

Qu's early training at his sports school was far from conventional. Every winter, coaches flooded a 400-meter track to create a makeshift speed skating rink. Under the guidance of coach Cui Guangguo, Qu would strap homemade snow skis and boots, crafted from ordinary cotton shoes fixed with makeshift bindings, and train on the icy track.