Wu Zhinai (right) with members of the ice hockey team from No 12 Middle School in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, in 1962. [Photo/Xinhua]

Even now at age 86, Wu Zhinai still visits an indoor skating rink in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, every week to play ice hockey or serve as referee for hockey matches.

Wu Zhinai (right) plays hockey at an indoor skating rink in Taiyuan, Shanxi province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Wu, a retired physical education teacher, has poured all his enthusiasm into winter sports for eight decades. He began to skate at age 6 and became a physical education teacher at No 12 Middle School in Taiyuan after graduation from Shanxi University in 1957.

Wu Zhinai (right) plays hockey at an indoor skating rink in Taiyuan, Shanxi province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Because of his persistence and his love of ice sports, he actively promoted speed skating and ice hockey at the school. In the 1960s, he established the first ice hockey team for middle school students in the province.

Wu Zhinai (middle) talks with ice hockey enthusiasts during a rest. [Photo/Xinhua]

After retiring in 1998, Wu began to provide free training courses for teenagers, including speed skating, figure skating and hockey at various rinks in Taiyuan. Over the past two decades, he has taught hundreds of teenagers, some of whom have become excellent athletes.

"The greatest happiness in my life is ice and snow sports. They keep me healthy," he said.

Wu Zhinai puts on his skates for a hockey game in Taiyuan, Shanxi province. [Photo/Xinhua]

"More important, I am honored to witness the origin, development and changes of winter sports in Shanxi. I hope to see more people — especially more teenagers — participate in winter sports. I also hope to see more young Chinese athletes win honors for our country in the upcoming Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games."