SAPPORO 2017: Becoming accustomed to the atmosphere in an Olympic Village at the February Asian Winter Games will provide invaluable experience for emerging and seasoned athletes.

Among the thirty athletes selected by the Australian Olympic Committee for the Games to be held in Sapporo, Japan are OWIA short track team members, Pierre Boda, Andy Jung, Alex Bryant and Deanna Lockett.

Having competed at the World Cup Olympic Test Event in Gangneug, Korea, the next opportunity for the short track team to savour that Olympic feel with athletes from other sports will be at the Asian Winter Games, says Alex Bryant.

“We all see the Asian Winter Games as a great opportunity,” Bryant said from his training base in Salt Lake City where he and Pierre Boda train with the US skaters.

“It’s been a really positive season thus far and I’m looking forward to the Sapporo competition. I know the Asian skaters take the Games very seriously so it’s going to be a great couple of days of racing.

“It’s an awesome opportunity to have a mini test run to PyeongChang and experience the Olympic vibe.”

The Australians will compete as guests in the prestigious event and is an opportunity not to missed says short track coach Nic Cicero.

“I know the AOC and OWIA have put in significant work to have us involved,” Cicero said.

“It’s such an honour and fantastic opportunity to build from our world cup performances and lead into World Championships a week later. We’ll be racing against some of the best skaters on the circuit and they’ll be extremely competitive.”

The Australian team features some of the nation’s brightest winter prospects and were selected to compete in snowboard, freestyle skiing, alpine skiing, cross country skiing, biathlon, short track speed skating and figure skating.

Learn more about the Sapporo 2017 team HERE.

OWIA