Display your spirit, Xi tells athletes(2)

Tong Jian, a veteran figure skater who is competing at his third Winter Olympics in Sochi with partner Pang Qing, said he would focus on cultivating young talent following his retirement after hearing the president's call to promote winter sports.

"Helping more children, especially those from southern areas, to realize their winter sports dreams will be my duty in the future," he said.

Xi's Sochi trip is the first time a Chinese president has attended a major overseas sports event.

His presence at the Games proved the country's support for the Olympic movement and his emphasis on fostering winter sports in China will play a significant role in boosting the bid for the 2022 Games, experts said.

"Xi's appearance made a top Chinese leader accessible to members of the International Olympic Committee and helped them better understand the development of the Olympic movement in China," said Wei Jizhong, former secretary-general of the Chinese Olympic Committee.

After arriving in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Thursday, Xi met International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach at a reception, where he also exchanged views on common issues of concern and sports development with leaders from other countries.

Xi stressed China's willingness to host the Winter Olympics and welcomed Bach to attend the second Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing in August.

Xi told Bach that China hopes to use the bid to popularize winter sports in China while promoting fitness among the public.

The Sochi trip was the latest evidence of Xi's concern for the development of Chinese sports, following a meeting with athletes and other notable sports figures prior to last year's Chinese National Games.

He has also had meetings with sports officials and experts on many occasions to hear their suggestions on improving the nation's poor performance in sports such as soccer.

Zhang Qing, a sports sociologist and founder of sports consulting company Key-Sports, hailed Xi's interest in sports.

"Reform in China's sports system lags behind those in the economy and industry, and the top leader's attention will definitely push local sports authorities and event governing bodies to pay more attention to reform," Zhang said.