Referees expect world-class short-track speedskateing results at National Winter Games

The venue for short-track speedskating competitions of the Chinese National Winter Games has won praises from two international referees.

A new ice sports center has been built in Urumqi for all the ice-related action, including speed and figure skating, curling and ice hockey, while snow-based events will be staged at two existing resorts on the outskirts of the city that has been fully refurbished for the event.

"The venue (for short-track speedskating) is very impressive," said Hewish James Harold, an Australian referee. "It is a world class stadium, one of the best I have seen in the world."

"The quality of ice here is wonderful, and I won't be surprised to see some records here in the next few days," he added.

Gregoire Jacques, a Canadian referee in charge of technique data recording, also praised the rink.

"Actually the rink here is good enough to hold a World Cup or World Championship," he said. "The ice is very very fast, and also very safe. The athletes feel very confident of going fast."

Jacques also said he enjoyed Wednesday's opening ceremony a lot.

"My favorite part is the man with the little horse," he said. "The opening ceremony was wonderful and colourful. I can not ask more."

The 13th National Winter Games, which kicked off Wednesday, will run through Jan. 30. It is for the first time since the winter sporting gala was introduced in 1959 that the quadrennial event has been held outside the northeastern provinces of Heilongjiang and Jilin. Endit