OlymPicks: Bronze Medalist Talks Coaching Burgeoning Chinese Olympic Curlers
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.
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 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.”
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.
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.”
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Email: kylemullin@truerun.com
Twitter: @MulKyle
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Photos: Michael Burns (for curling.ca), airdirectcityview.com
