Bronze Medalist Talks Coaching Chinese Olympic Curlers
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OlymPicks
is an ongoing blog series whereby we highlight news, gossip, and
developments regarding the buildup to Beijing's 2022 Winter Olympics.
Thirteen years after she and her teammates won the bronze medal for curling at the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Shannon Kleibrink is
now passing on her expertise to a very different group of athletes. The
Alberta-hailing retired Olympian-turned-instructor isn’t spending her
time training fellow Canucks these days, despite the Great White North's
notoriety in the game, but is instead working with athletes from China,
a locale by no means known for its curling prowess.
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The
21 Chinese athletes are aged between 15-23 and have spent years
practicing other sports such as gymnastics, swimming, and speed skating.
A few months back they were selected by Chinese officials for a crash
course in curling at the Acadia Recreation Complex in Calgary, Alberta,
to help grow the game on the mainland ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics
in Beijing. In a recent report by Global News (globalnews.ca) in
Calgary, one of the athletes named Christy Wang said: “I enjoy communication with my team, together to make shots. It makes curling very, very attractive to me.”
A few of the Chinese athletes who have been coached by Kleibrink
Despite
being so green to the game, the students’ prior athletic ability, and
especially their discipline, have all impressed Kleibrink. “The team has
already won some small events in Canada, which is extremely impressive
considering they have been on the ice less than four months,” Kleibrink
tells the Beijinger about
the Chinese newbies’ speedy progress. She adds: “All members of the
team are extremely athletic and have progressed much faster than I ever
thought possible. We are spending about six hours a day training, as
well as working on strength and conditioning.”
“They
are extremely dedicated and it has been my honor to be involved with
teaching such an elite group of athletes. Every day I see improvement
and I can’t wait to see what they can achieve,” she adds.
[The official Ice Training Facility at Shougang Park is] an extremely modern facility. I look forward to training there with the team in May.
Kleibrink’s
hospitality has since been reciprocated – she spent the past week in
Beijing touring Olympic facilities and meeting with officials, coaches,
and athletes. She plans to return next month for further coaching and
consulting with Chinese curlers. Kleibrink particularly enjoyed her
visit to the official Ice Training Facility at Shougang Park, calling it
"an extremely modern facility. I look forward to training there with
the team in May.”
Aside
from her coaching and expertise, Kleibrink is also a major asset as a
role model and source of inspiration. When asked about her prior feats,
the bronze medalist recalls a few details that are sure to motivate her
Chinese trainees, such as: “My fondest memory of [the Winter Olympics in
Turin, Italy in 2006] is walking into the opening ceremonies proudly
wearing the Maple Leaf on my back and representing my country.”
READ: Why Business is Flourishing Amid the Pre-Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Boom
Photos: Michael Burns (for curling.ca), airdirectcityview.com
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