Figure skaters give Ice Cube new life

The four-day immersive ice show Magic on Ice came to a close on Sunday at the National Aquatics Centre, marking a new chapter in the venue's post-Olympic use.

The event served as a centerpiece of the 17th Beijing Olympic City Sports Culture Festival, featuring 16 figure skaters from 12 groups representing China and Russia.

Highlights among the cast included 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic silver medalist Alexandra Trusova and Chinese world champion duo Pang Qing and Tong Jian.

The performance opened with a short film projected on the arena's overhead screen, tracing memorable moments from three Winter Olympics held between 2016 and 2026.

The footage also charted the decade-long careers of participating athletes, including Chinese ice dance veterans Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu.

Hosted by the China Arts and Entertainment Group, one of the performance's highlights was its innovative use of space.

The venue, previously used primarily for professional training and competitions, was transformed into an immersive performance space for the first time. Seating areas were built on the ice, bringing the audience closer to the skaters.

The transformation from sports venue to cultural stage offers a fresh model for the sustainable reuse of Olympic legacy infrastructure.

Launched in 2016, the Magic on Ice brand celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

Over the past decade, it has evolved into a platform enabling figure skaters to explore career opportunities beyond competitive sport, supporting their transition into professional performance and broader career development through ice-based shows.

Ahead of the main show, a free community ice-skating clinic led by Tong drew 45 families to the rink in Beijing, offering participants a hands-on introduction to the sport. From grassroots engagement to high-profile performances, winter sports are becoming increasingly accessible to the public in diverse and inclusive ways.