The National Speed Skating Oval, also known as the "Ice Ribbon" Photo: VCG

Two world records and 13 new Olympic records have been set halfway through the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games including a number of new records being set at the National Speed Skating Oval, also known as the "Ice Ribbon," the Beijing Organising Committee of the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games revealed on Sunday. 

With Chinese skater Gao Tingyu bagging a gold medal while setting a new Olympic record in speed skating men's 500 meters competition on Saturday, eight Olympic records and one world record have been set in the Speed Skating competitions held at the Ice Ribbon. 

Lots of high-tech elements were incorporated in the construction of the sports facilities, including the National Speed Skating Oval, Yang Shu'an, deputy chairman of the Beijing organising committee said at a press conference held on Sunday. 

According to Yang, the Ice Ribbon is the world's first speed skating arena in which the ice was made by adopting a technology of transcritical carbon refrigeration and with the efforts of most renowned ice experts. 

Compared to the traditional hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the carbon dioxide technology is far more eco-friendly. The system has a cooling efficiency that is 1.2 times higher than the traditional HFC refrigerants and can maintain a temperature consistency of 0.5 C or less across ice surfaces, making the ice easier to skate on. 

 "Apart from being environmentally friendly, what else elements of the venue will help athletes to achieve good results, will be further tested through the events," Yang said, adding that all ice surfaces are fair to the athletes and the results of the competitions still depend on who is stronger and who is more prepared. 

According to Yang, among the completed competitions, the competition venues have been kept in good condition and provided the best platforms for athletes to display their highest levels. 

Global Times