Fabric of success: Sportswear tech powers nation's Olympians

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in maximizing athletes' performances in winter sports. Former Olympic champion freeskier Han Xiaopeng is so impressed by the latest in textile tech that he says it's almost enough to entice him out of retirement.

"After seeing the equipment and sportswear that our athletes will use at the Beijing Winter Olympics, for a second I thought, 'I wonder if I can make a comeback!" Han said at Friday's launch ceremony for Team China's Beijing 2022 podium uniform and sportswear, which is produced by Anta.

"Honestly speaking, I really envy the current generation of athletes. In the old days, the quality of sportswear and gear for our winter Olympians wasn't quite up to standard. Our athletes nowadays receive comprehensive support from Team China, especially in terms of sports-related technology."

The 38-year-old Han won the men's freestyle skiing aerials title at the 2006 Winter Games in Turin－China's first Olympic gold in a snow event. Since retiring, he has kept a keen eye on the latest generation of athletes hoping to make further breakthroughs for China at next month's Beijing Winter Olympics.

"I have always kept tabs on the development of Chinese freestyle skiing, especially my discipline. I also like to watch the speed skating, both short-track and the longer distances. I love the competitiveness and seeing how situations change within seconds during competition," Han added.

"In terms of athletes, I hope Xu Mengtao, who can now be considered a veteran, can make more breakthroughs in freeski aerials at the Beijing Games. As for the young athletes, I have high expectations of freeskier Gu Ailing, who is very talented and capable of producing stunning tricks and moves.

"I can see how the sportswear has improved and the better quality of gear in general. A lot of equipment uses advanced technology. Compared to my time, athletes nowadays enjoy a better training environment and support, which can all help Team China to achieve better results at the Beijing Winter Olympics."

In addition to the podium uniform, Anta also unveiled the sportswear and equipment it is providing for 12 of Team China's squads, including short-track speed skating, skeleton, and curling.

Anta has provided Team China's uniforms for seven consecutive Summer and Winter Olympic Games, and continues to upgrade the quality by using the latest technology.

Team China's podium uniform keeps athletes warm in temperatures as low -20 C, while the outfit is extremely light to ensure maximum comfort.

State-of-the-art tech also features heavily in the sportswear for the various squads. Speed skaters are kitted out in uniforms that utilize air turbulence control technology and high-resilience materials to reduce wind drag on the track. The gear underwent extensive testing in a wind tunnel in order to select the best design.

Skeleton athletes, meanwhile, will benefit from wearing Anta's specially designed wing-shaped shoes to reduce wind drag.