Yao also started figure skating when she was 4.

"I feel it's my son's destiny to skate," she said. "I was also able to uncover his talent for the sport."

She drives about 60 kilometers across the city to take Fang to training sessions three times a week.

Because figure skating is a combination of sports and art, Fang is also playing the drums and is studying music.

With the Games approaching, more Chinese youngsters are taking part in winter sports, Yao said, adding that she hopes her son will contribute to the national development of such sports in the future.