With less than two weeks until the Northeast Regional City Football League (the “Northeast Super League”) kicks off across four provinces, Milan Cortina Winter Olympics men’s 1500m speed skating gold medalist Ning Zhongyan is preparing to represent Harbin and hopes to take the field in the opening match against Dalian on May 23.
In an exclusive interview with Harbin Daily on May 12, Ning expressed his eagerness to don the Harbin team jersey and experience the roar of the home crowd while fighting alongside his teammates for the city.
**From Ice to Pitch—A New Challenge for His Hometown**
On March 26, the city’s Sports Bureau officially announced Ning’s signing as a player for Harbin in the Northeast Super League. The news sparked widespread excitement among fans, who are eager to see his performance on the football field.
When asked why he would make such a crossover from ice to grass, Ning shared his personal motivation: “I’ve loved playing football since I was a child. We often include football in our warm-ups and cool-downs during training. I’m truly passionate about the sport and admire stars like Messi and Ronaldo.”
He added that as a speed skater from Heilongjiang, seeing his home region launch a top-tier football league like the Northeast Super League made him feel a strong sense of belonging and pride. “I want to step out of my comfort zone with this crossover challenge. I also hope to use my influence to contribute to my hometown’s sports and football culture.”
While both are sports, football and speed skating are fundamentally different. For Ning, this transition is a significant test. “The biggest challenge is shifting from individual racing to team collaboration. Speed skating is about competing against yourself and the clock, relying on personal skill and precision. Football, on the other hand, requires tight teamwork, tactics, footwork, and physical contact—all of which I need to learn from scratch.”
Ning noted that speed skating demands extreme focus under pressure to break limits, with every lap and every stride demanding full commitment. In contrast, football offers a more relaxed and pure mindset, allowing him to enjoy the joy of play and the thrill of fighting side by side with teammates, free from the weight of gold medals.
**Wearing No. 77, Giving His All on the Pitch**
Despite the steep learning curve, Ning, as an Olympic champion, remains optimistic and focused, aiming to quickly integrate into the team and build trust and chemistry. “As a player, I’ll cooperate with the team’s training, work hard on my fundamentals, keep up with the pace, and seize any opportunity to play,” he said. When asked about his performance, he promised that as long as he steps on the pitch, he will give everything with the sportsmanship of a professional athlete.
As the only Olympic champion-level star on the team, Ning carries the responsibility of inspiring hometown sports culture. “This crossover is a completely new challenge after winning Olympic gold—a fresh experience from the ice rink to the football field. I hope to encourage more skating fans to follow football and the Northeast Super League, and to see the vitality of Northeast sports. I also want to use my story to motivate more people to get active and love sports in their hometown.”
With the league opener just days away, Ning shared his expectations: “I’m really looking forward to the opening ceremony on May 23, and I hope all players, including myself, stay healthy and injury-free. Friendship first, competition second. I hope the matches showcase the passion of Northeast football, and that every team plays their best game.”
Ning revealed that he will wear the No. 77 jersey for Harbin in the Northeast Super League. “I can’t wait to put on the Harbin shirt, feel the cheers of the fans at home, and fight with my teammates for the city,” he said. As the tournament approaches, his main message is gratitude: “Thank you all for your continued support and attention. From the ice to the pitch, the spirit of hard work never changes. I’ll bring the focus and resilience from speed skating into football, taking every training session and every match seriously. Please continue to support me, and also support the Northeast Super League and Harbin team. See you on the field!”
