Controversial Chinese Player Run Ziwei Awarded Title of 'Outstanding Individual Contributor'

148 Awarded at China Winter Olympics Summary Commendation Ceremony
Run Ziwei "Striving to Serve National Glory and Homeland"

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese national team short track speed skater Ren Ziwei, the central figure in the controversial biased judgment at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, was awarded the title of 'Outstanding Individual Contributor.'

According to the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper People's Daily and Xinhua News Agency on the 10th, the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics closing commendation ceremony was held on the morning of the 8th at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. More than 3,000 participants, including athletes who took part in the Beijing Winter Olympics, attended the ceremony. Chinese President Xi Jinping personally attended and encouraged the athletes and delegation.

Photo by Xinhua News Agency Capture

President Xi praised the delegation, saying, "The successful preparation and hosting of the Beijing Winter Olympics greatly inspired the Chinese people's passion for sports and significantly promoted the development of China's sports industry."

He continued, "We must strengthen China's overall sports capabilities and international competitiveness to accelerate the building of a sports powerhouse," and urged, "Continue to promote reform and innovation in sports and strengthen research and development in sports science and technology."

At the event, President Xi awarded the title of 'Outstanding Individual Contributor' to 148 people.

Chinese media such as Xinhua News Agency eagerly published interviews with Ren Ziwei, who won two gold medals (2000m mixed relay and men's 1000m) at the Beijing Winter Olympics, following the commendation ceremony.

In an interview with Xinhua News Agency, Ren Ziwei said, "The honor I received this time is a great encouragement for my future training, challenges, and competitive spirit," adding, "I will show a stronger performance at the 2026 Italy Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics." He also said, "I will never give up in competition and fight until the end," noting that this is also the Olympic spirit mentioned by President Xi.

Ren Ziwei further stated, "The Beijing Winter Olympics was only the beginning, and I will work to improve my weaknesses and achieve new goals," adding, "I will make greater efforts to bring glory to the country and serve my homeland."

Xinhua News Agency praised Ren Ziwei as a key player who will lead the Chinese short track speed skating team.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On February 7th, during the men's short track 1000m semifinal heat 1 at the Beijing Capital Indoor Stadium, South Korean athlete Hwang Dae-heon crossed the finish line first, but the referee Shin Pan-jin penalized him for violating the lane change rule. Ren Ziwei advanced to the final along with Li Wenlong, who was eliminated in the semifinal.

The biased judgment controversy also arose in heat 2, and ultimately, three Chinese athletes and two Hungarian athletes competed in the final. Despite Ren Ziwei grabbing a Hungarian athlete's body with his hand just before the finish line, the referees penalized the Hungarian athlete, allowing Ren Ziwei to win the gold medal. The footage of the race sparked criticism of China's home advantage, biased judgments, and the Chinese National Games.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.