Shenyang SO athletes returned with medals

In the afternoon of February 17, 3 Special Olympics athletes came back with glory to Shenyang Yuzhi Special School. Everybody was deeply moved by their persistence and spirit.

Three months ago, none of them knew what a standard pair of snowshoes would be like; three month later, they represented China in the world-class cross country skiing competition and won 2 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze medals.

“These kids are very persistent, very capable of bearing the hardship.”Li Xin, teacher of Yuzhi Special School and inspirational coach of the athletes told the reporter waiting in the cold wind for the victorious team.

Trained Like the Monkey King
“The United States is very beautiful. The farest city I’ve ever been to before was Changchun.” Jin Zixuan, winner of one gold and one silver in this games told the reporter.

She liked Journey to the West mostly. When she was really tired after training, she encouraged herself with the example of Monkey King, her mother added.

Zhang Yuanyuan, one silver medal winner admitted that all the athletes missed Teacher Li very much when they were in the US.

Falling Down but Never Giving Up
Yang Wei was the only boy of the three athletes, and the most gifted among them. However, he was also the most recalcitrant one, Li Xin said.

He enrolled in two competitions in the national qualification competition in Changchun, 3000 meter and 1000 meter skiing. Worring about his safety, Li followed the boy outside the track through the 3000 meter course. “Fell down, stood up, and fell down again, and stood up again. I persuaded him to give up 1000 meter competition. He refused immediately saying “Enrolled in two, and participate in two”.

Finally, the boy grabbed one gold and one silver in the two qualification events and achieved one gold and two silver medals in the Winter Games.