Speed Skating Canada – Long Track Speed Skating Coach Xiuli Wang accepted a position on the coaching staff of the Long Track National Team in her homeland, China.

Following her athletic career where she represented China at the 1984 Olympic Games and was crowned the 1990 World Champion in the 1500m, Xiuli Wang was part of the Canadian National Program’s success starting in 2002. She moved to Canada from China in 1996 and first started coaching at Calgary’s Olympic Oval.

“I would like to thank Speed Skating Canada for all the opportunities afforded to me over the last 20 years,” said Xiuli Wang, who will now be preparing a group of Chinese athletes for the 2018 Olympic Games and will then take on the position of National Head Coach for the Chinese speed skating program toward the 2022 Beijing Games. “It has been a great privilege to work with terrific athletes since 1997 at four Olympic Games.”

Her successes as a coach include leading Clara Hughes to three individual Olympic medals from 2002 to 2010, including a gold in the 5000m in 2006; Kristina Groves to a total of three individual Olympic medals spanning from 2002 to 2010; and Christine Nesbitt to a Team Pursuit silver in 2006, as well as an unprecedented and undefeated span of almost two seasons where the Canadian skater claimed the 1500m World Championship title in 2011 and 2012, a 1000m World Championship title in 2011 and a World Record in the women’s 1000m event at the 2012 Calgary World Cup. Xiuli Wang also received the Jack Donahue Coach of the Year Award in 2006 and the Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award for almost a decade straight.

“Xiuli Wang is a great coaching legend in Canada with all the successes she has had over the years, as she coached superstars such as Kristina Groves, Clara Hughes and Christine Nesbitt, so of course it’s a huge disappointment to see her leave,” said Speed Skating Canada’s Chief Executive Officer, Susan Auch. “We wish her the best of luck in her new, exciting challenge.”

Among the skaters she coached last year was NextGen group athlete Isabelle Weidemann.

More information is available at Speed Skating Canada’s website: www.speedskating.ca.

About Speed Skating Canada

Speed Skating Canada (SSC) is the governing body for competitive long track and short track speed skating in Canada. Founded in 1887, the association is comprised of 13 provincial and territorial branches representing more than 14,000 individual members, and counting. SSC believes that sport is an apprenticeship for life and prizes respect for others, integrity, excellence of effort, as well as a safe, healthy environment. SSC recognizes and values its outstanding volunteers who give freely of their time and expertise. It also celebrates the 63 Olympic medals won by Canadian athletes since 1932, as well as the coaches, officials and other dedicated individuals who helped them on their journey.

SSC is proud to be affiliated with partners that share the same vision and values including our premium sponsors Intact Insurance, as well as our funding partners, the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, City of Montreal, Calgary Olympic Oval and WinSport Canada.
 

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For information:

Patrick Godbout
Communications & Media Relations Manager
Speed Skating Canada
Email: pgodbout@speedskating.ca
Phone: 514 213-9897
Website:www.speedskating.ca
Facebook:www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC
Twitter:www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC

Kerry Dankers
Long Track Program and Communications Coordinator
Speed Skating Canada
Email: kdankers@speedskating.ca
Phone: 403-589-8960
Website: www.speedskating.ca   
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC  
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC