Olympic figure skating champion Han Cong ready to open new career chapter

QINGDAO, April 13 (Xinhua) -- China's Olympic champion Han Cong says he is ready to devote himself to becoming a figure skating technical specialist, instead of merely returning to the rink as an athlete.

The 30-year-old veteran followed the two-day competitions at China's season-ending National Championships, which concluded here on Thursday.

"I took the certification exam to be a national-class figure skating technical specialist before I came here, and was just told that I had passed," Han said.

"I'm here trying to learn from the technical panel and to get a better understanding of everything that surrounds a figure skating tournament," he added.

Han paired with Sui Wenjing to win the Olympic gold medal last year, but the two-time world champions and runners-up at PyeongChang 2018 have not competed since their epic victory at Beijing 2022, prompting speculation that they may soon announce their retirement.

Sui, who is studying choreography at Beijing Dance Academy, wrote on social media that she is pondering a possible return to the ice rink, while Han admitted to Xinhua that his fitness plays a big part in the prospect of the pair's return, which seems impossible in recent days.

"My body condition is not good enough for me to resume training. My hip is still hurting, maybe not as bad as before when it hurt every time I sneezed, but yes, it's hurting," Han said with a wry smile, adding that he has been busy away from the rink lately.

"I'm doing my duty as a member of the ISU (International Skating Union) Technical Committee, as well as calling out for athletes in a continental forum," said Han, who was appointed as the skater member of the Single &Pair Skating Technical Committee by the ISU last September.

His schedule in March included the OCA (Olympic Council of Asia) Athletes Forum in Bangkok, Thailand before he flew to Saitama, Japan for the ISU technical meeting.

"This part of the job is complicated, comprehensive and detailed, but I feel fresh and very interested," he said.

"I love figure skating and won't leave the sport, regardless of whether I return as an athlete or not," he added.