China dominant in figure skating as athletes enjoy cultural performance

China showed its dominance in the figure skating at the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games by clean-sweeping the two gold medals on offer here on Monday.

While the competition was on-going, the Culture and Education Program was also attractive.

Chinese flag bearer Yan Han overcame a fevered physical condition to win the men's singles gold medal, while Jin Yang and Yu Xiaoyu claimed the pairs' gold medal with a huge advantage.

The 15-year-old Yan, who ranked first after the short program, collected 132.80 points in the free skating though he suffered a stumble in a jump, and took the gold medal with a total score of 192. 45 points.

Shoma Uno of Japan took the silver medal with a total score of 167.15 points, while Feodosi Efremenkov of Russia ranked the third at 163.46 points.

"I didn't perform well as I got a fever yesterday. It wasn't until this morning that I felt a bit comfortable," said Yan, who finished the juniors' second place in 2010-2011 ISU Grand Prix Finals.

Jin and Yu scored 153.82 points to win the pairs, with Russia's two pairs earning the silver and bronze medal.

Sarah Warren, a short track speed skater from the U.S., learnt something new from the booth of her own country. "There are some quotes on the wall from famous people, whom I don't know," she said.

The booth is located in the World Culture Village, a platform for the young athletes to know the culture of all the participants. Innsbruck local students have been called up to prepare for culture exhibition booths and gave services in the booths in turn during the Winter YOG.

30 high-school students from BHAK Schwae prepared a culture show of the U.S., dressing themselves into the symbol of the country, from Captain Jack Sparrow in Caribbean to superstar Paris Hilton while presenting the brief history of the country.

"We have prepared for the one-day performance since last November," said Giso Schhae, teacher of the 30 students. "I think it is worth because students learn a lot from the process, for example the team-work spirit."