Yang Yang, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), shared her pride on the progress China has made in winter sports over the past 20 years on Feb 16.

On the same day 20 years ago, she won the gold medal in women's short-track speed skating at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games, the first Winter Olympic gold medal for China. "I was honored to be the first gold medalist for my country at Winter Olympics. Now after 20 years, our athletes are shaking, inspiring and touching the world with their superb skills, perfect performance, tenacious struggle, warm hugs and sincere congratulations," she said.

At the recently concluded Beijing Winter Olympics, the Chinese delegation achieved a historical best and breakthroughs in many competitions.

"This generation is more confident and eager to express than mine. The development of our country made it possible for them to see a broader world and experience different cultures. They long to converse with the world and present themselves. The Beijing Winter Olympics gave them this opportunity," Yang said.

Yang, also the chairwoman of the Athletes Committee of the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, was one of the torchbearers of the Beijing Winter Games and worked onsite during the Games, sharing all her unforgettable moments with the athletes. She regarded herself extremely lucky and happy to be part of the Games. "As a saying goes, those who are favored by luck never keep the luck to themselves. They share it. I want to be one of them and do my best to share my luck and happiness with more people," she said.

As a member of the CPPCC National Committee, Yang has been working on the popularization of ice and snow sports in China, and proposed the sustainable development of young winter sports talents. She already prepared related proposals for the upcoming annual session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee on March 4.