This photo taken on Jan. 27, 2026 shows a general view at the inaugural meeting of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)

BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- China announced on Tuesday its delegation for the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, comprising 286 members, including 126 athletes.

With an average age of 25, the squad will be led by defending Olympic champions Gu Ailing in freestyle skiing and Su Yiming in snowboarding.

They will be joined by veterans such as short track speed skater Fan Kexin, freestyle skier Xu Mengtao and figure skating pair Sui Wenjing and Han Cong, all gold medalists on home ice and snow at Beijing 2022, where China won 15 medals, including nine golds.

A total of 67 athletes will make their Olympic debut in Milan-Cortina, and the youngest team member is 17-year-old snowboard halfpipe athlete Ren Chongshuo.

"After more than 1,400 days of hard training, we are finally about to reach the highest competitive stage," said Yin Zheng, a skeleton athlete and representative of the delegation.

He also paid tribute to the support teams at the founding conference of the delegation: "We are not fighting alone. Behind us stands a strong and warm homeland, as well as an efficient and comprehensive support system."

"The Milan-Cortina 2026 will be the first Winter Olympic Games that China participates in following the successful hosting of Beijing 2022," said Gao Zhidan, director of China's General Administration of Sport.

"It is a significant window to showcase the achievements of China's winter sports development and the positive image of our athletes," Gao added, stating that the delegation's fundamental goal is to achieve excellence in both athletic performance and sportsmanship.

The Chinese delegation will compete in 91 events across 15 disciplines, marking the country's largest-ever team and widest event participation at an overseas Winter Olympics.

The 2026 Winter Games will take place from Feb. 6 to 22, featuring 116 events across 16 disciplines. ■

Speed skater Gao Tingyu of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games is seen during the inaugural meeting of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)

Bobsleigh athlete Yin Zheng is interviewed after the inaugural meeting of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)

The coach of figure skating team Zhao Hongbo of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games is seen during the inaugural meeting of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)

Short track speed skater Fan Kexin (2nd L) of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games is seen during the inaugural meeting of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)

Gao Zhidan, director of China's General Administration of Sport, speaks during the inaugural meeting of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)

Figure skaters Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu (L) of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games are seen the inaugural meeting of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)

Bobsleigh athletes Yin Zheng (1st R) and Zhao Dan (2nd R) of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games are seen during the inaugural meeting of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)

Figure skater Zhang Ruiyang (C) of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games is seen during the inaugural meeting of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)

Bobsleigh athlete Yin Zheng speaks during the inaugural meeting of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)

Figure skater Jin Boyang (C) of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games is seen during the inaugural meeting of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)

Coach representative, Ji Dong, head coach of the freestyle skiing aerials team, speaks during the inaugural meeting of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)

Short track speed skater Liu Shaoang (C) of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games is seen during the inaugural meeting of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)

Short track speed skater Lin Xiaojun (3rd L) of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games is seen during the inaugural meeting of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)

This photo taken on Jan, 27, 2026 shows a general view at the inaugural meeting of the Chinese delegation for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)