Tracking Italy's skating talent Chinese coach Qi Mengyao is relishing her role as a mentor to the 2026 Olympic host's rising stars Chinese speed skating coach Qi Mengyao (front row, far right), poses with Italian skaters at the European short-track championships. [Photo provided to China Daily]

When Qi Mengyao stepped onto the ice at the 2025 ISU World Short Track Championships in Beijing, few would have guessed that the coach guiding Italy's rising stars once dreamed of representing China as an athlete.

Now, the 37-year-old from Changchun has carved out an unlikely path from unheralded skater, to architect of Italy's Olympic ambitions.

At last month's worlds, her squad — a blend of raw talent and experienced veterans — claimed silver in the mixed team relay and bronze in the men's 1,000m, signaling Italy's growing threat ahead of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

For Qi, it's a testament to resilience, cross-cultural grit, and a coaching philosophy forged across three continents.

Born in Jilin province — China's northeastern ice sports heartland — Qi's journey began on the amateur rink of Changchun. She was spotted by coach Kong Xin for her speed during school races. By her teens, she was training alongside future legends like Yang Yang, China's first Winter Olympic champion, in national youth camps, and competed at the 2004 World Junior Championships.