July 7 (sports.sohu.com)  On July 7, 2014, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will announce candidate cities for the 2022 Winter Olympics. If successful, Beijing will enter into the preparatory phase for the event as a candidate.Li Yan, head coach of the Chinese short track speed skating team, was thrilled about the bid.

“I’m told that candidate cities will be declared today by a friend who works in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games Bid Committee. We talked so much and everybody is happy about it.” Li Yan said, “I know that the committee has to work hard. But I sincerely hope that theycould spare no pains to help Beijing to win the bid.”

As a witness of Chinese winter sports’ development, Li Yan won the first gold prize of short track speed skating demonstration event for Chinese delegation in the Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics. When the short track speed skating was officially included for the 1992 Games in Albertville, Li obtained the bronze prize in the 500m women event, the first medal for Chinese team for the sports. After retiring from the short track speed skating, Li Yan left for Slovakia and the USA respectively as coach and returned China to lead the Chinese team in 2006. The Chinese short track speed skating team led by Li Yan gained six gold, three silver and one bronze medals during the Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. In May, 2014, Li Yan continued her agreement with the Chinese short track speed skating team as the head coach.

Referring to the Winter Olympics, Ms. Li has so much to say as she experienced seven Winter Olympic Games. She said the Olympic Games were incomparable with any other competitions, a large stage of the highest level. She added that the bid meant a lot to China.

According to Li Yan, firstly, the bid will encourage more people to participate in the winter sports; secondly, the bid will provide a platform to showcase the development of Chinese winter sports and economic growth to the world. At last, Li Yan wished the Beijing would be included in the candidate cities.