Chinese delegation heads to Austria for Special Olympics

Chinese athletes train for a figure skating event at the 11th Special Olympics World Winter Games in Harbin, North China's Heilongjiang province, Feb 23, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Chinese delegation for the 11th Special Olympics World Winter Games gathered in Beijing for a launch ceremony on Monday.

This year's delegation consists of 109 people, including 76 Special Olympics athletes from eight provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities nationwide. The oldest athlete is 35-year old Sheng Hailiang of the floor hockey team, while the youngest is Xu Zixuan of the figure skating team, who just turned 10 this year.

Chinese athletes will compete in five big events this year, including figure skating, speed skating, cross-country skiing, snow shoe walking and floor hockey. This is the seventh time the Chinese delegation has participated in the Special Olympics World Winter Games.

The games will be held in Austria from Saturday to March 24. More than 2,700 Special Olympics athletes and 1,100 coaches from 107 countries and regions will attend this year's event.

Lu Yong, chairman of the China Special Olympics Committee, cheered for the athletes at the ceremony and wished them a safe and happy journey. Lu also expects good performances from the Chinese athletes during the games.