ITALY: OLYMPIC GAMES - Press conference by Chinese figure skaters about their performances.

Record ID: 331936

  • Title: ITALY: OLYMPIC GAMES - Press conference by Chinese figure skaters about their performances.
  • Date: 17th February 2006
  • Summary: TURIN, ITALY (FEBRUARY 16, 2006)(REUTERS - NO ACCESS WIRELESS) CHINESE FIGURE SKATERS WALKING INTO PRESS ROOM PEOPLE TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS FIGURE SKATING SILVER MEDALLISTS ZHANG DAN AND ZHANG HAO SITTING AT TABLE PHOTOGRAPHER WIDE PRESS ROOM (SOUNDBITE)(Mandarin) SILVER MEDAL-WINNING FIGURE SKATER ZHANG DAN SAYING: "It will not affect my future competitions. The doctors have proven that the ligament on the left leg is a little bit sprained" WIDE PRESS ROOM (SOUNDBITE)(Mandarin) SILVER MEDAL-WINNING FIGURE SKATER ZHANG HAO SAYING: "My simple words are that, I wish all athletes in the summer games also will achieve good results" PAN OF FIGURE SKATING TEAMS WIDE OF PRESS ROOM (SOUNDBITE)(Mandarin) FIGURE SKATER TONG JIAN, WHO FINISHED FOURTH IN THE OLYMPICS WITH PARTNER QING PANG, SAYING: "I am happy to be here. We think that this kind of group of three pairs we cannot achieve such good results talking about the 2010 Winter Olympic Games which is in four year's time and everyone knows that figure skating has developed very quickly in recent years. The rules and regulations are changing. So 2010 is really unknown to us. But I really wish that all our three pairs can compete again in the next Olympic Games. It is just a wish. Talking about this Olympic Games, we think some of our elements were not performed to our best. So now we are looking into details to find those problems and small errors. Of course we are very regretful that we didn't win any medals here (sic). But we will go step by step, work hard and have good preparation for the upcoming world events." WIDE OF PRESS ROOM (SOUNDBITE)(Mandarin) WANG YITAO, SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE CHINESE OLYMPIC COMMITTEE, SAYING: "The story will go forward forever. Chinese figure skating and pair skating has reached a top world level. In future training, the younger skaters will work harder and they will go on competing and they will go on to surpass themselves" PEOPLE LEAVING PRESS ROOM
  • Embargoed: 4th March 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Italy
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAD2T4JVSFV3Z6GVOQM8P6LIUGA
  • Story Text: Olympic Silver medal-winning Chinese figure skater Zhang Dan said on Thursday (February 16) that she could be healthy enough to take part in the exhibition gala at the end of the Games, in spite of her spectacular fall that has become a defining moment of the Turin Olympics.
    Zhang collapsed on the ice during the pairs free skate on Monday as she and partner Zhang Hao attempted to pull off the first quadruple Salchow in international competition, spinning four times through the air.
    But Zhang Dan landed badly, fell into the splits and slammed against the side pads.
    After skating around the ice doubled over in pain, the two Zhangs picked up the routine where they had left off and still managed to win silver -- and the admiration of the crowd.
    Zhang Dan has been diagnosed with a slight sprain to a ligament in her left knee and she told a news conference in Turin on Thursday: "It will not effect my future competitions. The doctors have proven that the ligament on the left leg is a little bit sprained."
    The top skaters of the Games are due to perform in an exhibition gala on February 24, showing off many of the tricks and turns they are not allowed to pull off in competition -- or which they do not dare attempt while fighting for medals.
    Fourth-placed figure skater Tong Jian told the news conference: "...we think some of our elements were not performed to our best. So now we are looking into details to find those problems and small errors...we will go step by step, work hard and have good preparation for the upcoming world events"
    Chinese Olympic Committee Secretary-General Wang Yitao predicted that the country's figure skaters will continue to improve. ing and pair skating has reached a top world level. In future training, the younger skaters will work harder and they will go on competing and they will go on to surpass themselves"
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register