China has substantially increased the size of its delegation for the 32nd International University Sports Federation (FISU) Winter World University Games, set to be held in Turin, Italy from January 13 to 23. The Chinese team will consist of 84 members, including 48 athletes drawn from 13 universities across the country, marking a significant expansion from previous games.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, Liu Lixin, head of the Chinese delegation, emphasized that the Games represent a global platform for fostering friendship and cultural exchange among young athletes.

The delegation will compete in approximately 13 events, including newly introduced categories such as ski mountaineering—a sport that will also feature at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina.

The China Student Sports Federation (CSSF) announced that this expansion aims to provide young Chinese athletes with valuable international experience.

Luo Le, a sports scholar at Beijing University of Chemical Technology, noted that world-level multi-sport events like the Turin Games are pivotal for student athletes to gain practical competition experience, helping them better understand their capabilities.

The increase in the number of Chinese participants from the 24 athletes at the Lake Placid 2023 Games underscores this focus.

In Lake Placid, Chinese athletes participated in 11 events, securing one gold, two silver, and one bronze medal.

The growing interest in winter sports among the Chinese public, especially after the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, could be a driving force behind the larger delegation.

Beyond the focus on athletics, Liu Lixin outlined that the Games will serve as a cultural exchange platform, enabling student athletes to share stories and experiences with their international peers, thereby promoting mutual understanding and friendship.

Historically, China has been devoted to facilitating international sporting events to promote global harmony, as evidenced by the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games, which saw participation from 204 countries.

This year's delegation is particularly youthful, with an average age of 22, and 45 athletes making their debut at a major international event.

Liu Lixin expressed confidence that Chinese athletes will display the optimistic and friendly characteristics of China's youth during the Turin Games, both in competition and through interactions with other participants.

In preparation for the Games, China organized a series of national selection events and training camps focusing on disciplines like cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, snowboarding, and curling.

Camps were held in Beijing and Jilin Province.

The Turin Winter World University Games will host over 2,600 participants from 55 countries and regions, featuring 11 sports disciplines, including events for para student-athletes—a first in the history of the Winter World University Games.