Beloved former athlete not snowed into one role

Return to Yabuli

In July 2023, Harbin was awarded the 9th Asian Winter Games. Qu joined the organizing committee, marking a new chapter in his career.

Qu took charge of operations at the Yabuli venues in May 2024, returning to the site where he once competed. Managing the venues, he says, was very different from his previous roles as an athlete, coach and team leader.

"This job involves a lot of detailed work, ensuring the events run smoothly through teamwork," Qu explains. "The pressure is high."

Qu's team oversees all noncompetition aspects, including medical services, catering, logistics, sponsorships, and language support, while working closely with the sports teams to provide resources and solve problems.

Han Wei, who joined Qu's team last year, praised Qu's experience in both domestic and international competitions. "We started from scratch, learning how to organize events and provide support," Han says. "Whenever we had questions, Qu was there to help."

Yabuli's long winters present challenges, but Qu and his team regularly inspected the eight venues and ski trails to ensure their readiness. During test events earlier in the year, Qu and his team were fully involved, coordinating everything from venue layouts to staff logistics.