Source: China.org.cn

02-26-2009 15:23

Special Report:   Harbin 24th Winter Universiade

They may not be able to share the medals, but they do deserve to share the spotlight with their skaters. Sijtje Van Der Lende was the focus of a lot of attention in her role as coach of China's national speed skating team at the ongoing Winter Universiade in northeast China's Harbin.

Sijtje - always proud of her skaters.

The former Dutch speed skater began her career in China last May, responsible for all-rounders and some of the sprinters. She has been coaching several of China's top skaters, including Ren Hui and Yu Fengtong who placed second in the men's 500 meters events of this Universiade.

Sijtje, as most of her skaters and colleagues call her, has also helped to focus the spotlight on long-distance skating in a country where sprint events usually attract most of the attention. Fu Chunyan, the youngest skater in the national training camp, claimed victory in the women's 3000 meters on Saturday – China's first gold medal in the speed skating events of the Winter Universiade.

"She helped me a lot," said Fu, brimming with happiness. "My physical condition has improved a lot under her coaching."

"Sijtje is easy-going and friendly," said Dong Feifei, silver medalist in both the 1500 and 3000 meters events. "We have a degree of flexibility in our training arrangements and our private lives." The freedom she allows makes her very different from her strict Chinese counterparts. "But that doesn't mean we can slack off during training," said Dong. "She's very demanding. I think she has given me real encouragement and confidence through her coaching – that's what I need most. "