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From Serfdom to Snow: Tibetan Family's Olympic Journey
13 Apr
Summary
- Athlete Cidan Yuzhen's Olympic participation spans three generations.
- Her grandfather escaped feudal serfdom in Tibet over 70 years ago.
- Cidan Yuzhen pursued athletic dreams, leaving her village at age 10.
Over 70 years ago, Tashi Wangdrak lived as a serf in Tibet, facing a life of unimaginable hardship and limited freedom. He never anticipated that a descendant would one day compete in the Winter Olympics.
His granddaughter, 19-year-old Cidan Yuzhen, recently participated in ski mountaineering at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. This event marks a profound family achievement, bridging three generations from the era of feudal serfdom to the international sports arena.
Cidan Yuzhen, born in 2006, had access to education, unlike her grandparents. However, her aspirations extended beyond her rural life, driven by a desire to experience the world. She left her village at age 10 for athletic training.
Democratic reforms in Tibet in March 1959 abolished feudal serfdom, granting Tashi Wangdrak and his family personal freedom and land ownership for the first time. This paved the way for future generations to pursue new opportunities.
