With the International Skating Union (ISU) World Short Track Championships returning to Beijing's Capital Indoor Stadium this weekend, athletes and officials shared their expectations for the event during a press conference on Wednesday.
The competition, which runs from Friday through Sunday, will feature 164 skaters from 36 countries and regions. This year's edition marks the first time Beijing has hosted the event since 2005.
"Beijing has world-class venues, excellent organization, passionate fans, and reliable partners," ISU President Kim Jae-youl said. "We are thrilled to unveil our new branding for short track, which captures the fast, dynamic and explosive nature of the sport. We will do everything we can to make skaters shine even brighter."
During the 2024-25 ISU Short Track World Tour, Chinese skaters earned five gold, two silver and five bronze medals across six events. In December, China claimed victories in the men's 500-meter, men's 5,000-meter relay and mixed relay at the World Tour stop in Beijing.
Canada's William Dandjinou and Kristen Santos-Griswold of the USA won the men's and women's ISU Crystal Globe titles this season, and both skaters will compete at the World Championships.
"I am really happy to have won the Crystal Globe. It was an amazing season for me and my team, but nothing is given to you in short track. I have to earn everything," said Dandjinou. "The World Championships is another opportunity to prove myself and do my best."
Santos-Griswold reflected on her season by saying, "What I am most proud of this year was my ability to persevere through every competition. I had a lot of struggles with falling or not having my best races, but I was able to bounce back. I just tried to take one step at a time and do my best."