"I'm working on plans for my fifth Winter Games campaign," Xu said at an award ceremony hosted by China Central Television (CCTV), according to Xinhua.

"It means that I will probably have to 'shed my skin three times' (to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics). But once I could stand in the Olympic arena again, my battle is half won."

Xu claimed a gold at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in the aerials, which was the first gold in her Olympic career.

She also claimed two silvers, one in the mixed team aerials at Beijing 2022, as well as another one in Sochi 2014.

"I want to try to compete at my fifth Winter Olympics in Italy in 2026," she said, as reported by the state-run China Daily last year.

"The moment I won gold at Beijing 2022 I felt like it was time to call it a career.

"But after a long break, I realised deep down that I still love the sport so much that I cannot let go.

"Now that I've fulfilled my destiny and completed a grand slam in the sport after winning the Olympic gold medal, I can continue with a free mind to enjoy the sport out of my pure love for it.

"I might not end up with another medal in Italy but I can pass on my experience to the younger generation to help the national programme remain on top in aerials."

The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is set to be held from February 6 to 22 2026, with 116 events scheduled across eight sports.