Skating rinks become one of the most popular entertainment places in Chengdu, Sichuan province, during the sweltering hot summer days.

Chengdu has a total of 10 rinks, often filled with children learning figure skating and ice hockey. Chen Ji, former member of the national ice hockey team, now works as a coach in a Chengdu ice hockey club. “I’m impressed that people in Chengdu – a city where snow is rarely seen, show such passion for this sport,” Chen said.

At present, there are seven ice hockey teams, whose players are teenagers, in Chengdu. Athletes in the teams train hard and also compete with teams from other cities or provinces in some amateur games.

Beijing’s winning its second Olympic bid for the 2022 Winter Games further boosts the popularity of winter sports. “I hope more snow sports halls could open in Chengdu so that more people in the city could feel their appeal,” said Chen.