Champion speed skater Ye gets creative on canvas

Artists-in-Residence program gathers Olympians to celebrate art, culture and sport

"I used to be a speed skater, and now I study Chinese painting," is how Ye Qiaobo introduces herself.

She wasn't just any speed skater though. Ye was the first Chinese speed skater to become world champion－she was the women's all-round world champion in 1992 and 1993. The silver medal she won at Albertville 1992 was China's first ever medal at the Olympic Winter Games. She is considered one of the greatest winter sports athletes in China.

Currently, Ye is one of seven former Olympians selected for the prestigious Artists-in-Residence program for the Olympic Agora in Beijing. The Olympic Agora celebrates the values of the Games and showcases art, culture and sport.

"Through my understanding of both sport and art, I think my work shows both my soft and hard sides," explains Ye, describing the artwork she has submitted to the program. Her three works are in Chinese traditional brush painting style and depict magnolias, plum blossoms and bamboo.

"In honor of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, I painted plum blossoms to offer my best wishes to the athletes from all over the world who have arrived here to participate," she says. "Plum blossoms represent the five blessings in China, which have five meanings: peace, auspiciousness, happiness, good luck and longevity."