OCA official joins torch relay for Harbin AWG

Torchbearer Vinod in the 2025 Asian Winter Games Torch Relay in Harbin on Monday, February 3.
Torchbearer Vinod in the 2025 Asian Winter Games Torch Relay in Harbin on Monday, February 3.

Harbin, China, February 3, 2025: OCA Deputy Director General Vinod Kumar Tiwari participated in the torch relay of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin on Monday and praised China's preparation efforts ahead of the event.

 

"We are very happy and very pleased because the organising committee had only one year to prepare for the Games and they've done a marvellous job," Tiwari told Xinhua News.

 

"For me, this is one of the finest Asian Winter Games we have seen," he added.

 

In Harbin, many infrastructures and venues, especially the Yabuli ski resort, impressed the OCA officials a lot.

 

"The infrastructure and the facilities are up to the Olympic standards. The organisers are providing the best environment for the athletes to participate," said the OCA official, who encouraged the local citizens to embrace the AWG and share in the joy of winter sports.

 

"Harbin has the capability of also hosting the Olympic Winter Games if they decide to do it," he added.

 

The torch relay involved 120 torchbearers and the 11-km relay route covered several landmarks in the city, including Harbin Central Street, which has a history of more than 100 years, and the Songhua River.

 

The torchbearers included Chinese Olympic champions Wang Shun, Sheng Lihao, Wu Dajing and Sui Wenjing, the figure skating champion who is the director of the opening ceremony on Friday.