On February 10 (Canadian time), the 2018 International Ice Dragon Boat Series — Ottawa (Canada) Stop kicked off in full swing. Promoted by the 

governments of China and Canada, this event was hosted by the International Ice Dragon Boat Federation (IIDBF), undertaken by the Ottawa Dragon 

Boat Festival Organizing Committee, and specially supported by the Canadian Department of Canadian Heritage, Environment and Climate Change 

Canada, the National Capital Commission (NCC) of Canada, and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada. Mr. Luo Zhongyi, President 

of IIDBF, Mr. Lu Shaye, Chinese Ambassador to Canada, and Ms. Catherine McKenna, Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 

attended the opening ceremony.

A total of 100 teams with over 1,600 athletes participated in the competition. Snowflakes drifted over the venue, setting off the passion for ice 

and snow in the event. Although thousands of miles apart, we can still feel this passionate cultural and competitive feast taking place on the 

other side of the globe. Now, let’s follow us to experience the vibrant scene of the competition~

Mr. Luo Zhongyi, President of IIDBF, and Ms. Catherine McKenna, Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change, experienced the event.

Diplomatic officials from the Chinese Embassy in Canada and Canadian diplomatic officials formed the "Polar Pandas" team to participate in the 

competition. Dressed in red clothes that symbolize Chinese-style festive traditions, they rowed on the ice and achieved excellent results. Amidst 

cheers, they perfectly interpreted the cultural integration on ice through practical actions.

The event was covered on-site by many media outlets, including the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), China Central Television (CCTV), 

Xinhua News Agency, People’s Daily, and China News Service.

Following the 2017 International Ice Dragon Boat Series — Ottawa (Canada) Stop, the 2018 edition once again thrilled the audience. All teams 

competed fiercely, staging a professional ice-based competition. This was also the first professional ice dragon boat event after the 1st World Ice 

Dragon Boat Championships. Coinciding with the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, the ice dragon boat event echoed the Olympics from afar, 

carrying the global passion for ice and snow and cheering for the Olympic Games.

This ice dragon boat event attracted 100,000 spectators to the venue. Smiles and cheers in the icy snow, as well as spectators raising their phones 

to take photos, were just as wonderful as the exciting competition scenes, becoming indispensable classic moments of the event.

Mr. Luo Zhongyi, President of IIDBF, awarded prizes to the winning teams. Applauds and honors allowed both participants and organizers to jointly 

feel the joy and significance brought by the event.