From ice to airwaves: Beijing Sport University shines at 2026 Winter Olympics

Beijing Sport University is set to play a prominent role at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, contributing both elite athletes and young media professionals to China's Olympic campaign.

A total of 43 athletes in the Chinese delegation to the Games come from BSU, with speed skater Ning Zhongyan, a student in the university's "champion class" named as one of Team China's flagbearers for the opening ceremony of the Games on Friday. It will mark Ning's second time serving as a flagbearer at a major international sporting event, following the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin.

As a specialist in middle-distance speed skating, Ning is aiming for podium finishes in the men's 1500m and 1000m events in Milan.

Beyond athletic competition, the university is also contributing to Olympic broadcasting. The university's School of Journalism and Communication has partnered with China's online broadcaster Migu to launch an Olympic commentary program, marking its fourth consecutive Olympic cycle following the Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022, and Paris 2024 Games.

During the Games, a total of 21 students will provide live commentary for 110 events across nine winter sports disciplines, including curling, ice hockey, speed skating, Nordic combined, biathlon, snowboarding, skeleton, bobsleigh, and luge, over a 19-day period.