National Aquatics Center wins applause for Beijing 2022 Games
- By Zhu Bochen
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E-mail China.org.cn, June 2, 2022
World Curling Federation (WCF) President Kate Caithness highly praised the National Aquatics Center for its quality delivery of the curling and wheelchair curling events at Beijing 2022 and its contributions to the sustainable development of the Olympic Movement.
"Every Games participant in the National Aquatics Center was impressed by the magnificent venue, sound facilities, large space, proper flow design, impeccable accessibility services and colorful external walls," Caithness wrote in an appraisal letter on May 24.
As one of several venues remodeled from facilities built for Beijing 2008, the National Aquatics Center realized the "water-to-ice conversion" by constructing world-leading ice rinks above the existing swimming pools. The venue's management team worked closely with established ice technicians from around the world during Beijing 2022 to ensure perfect ice, temperature and humidity for players.
"It was certainly the place to be during the Games and gave our sport an iconic home," Caithness added. "The curling stones slid perfectly on the ice surface without any speed fluctuation, creating the best competition experience for the curlers."
Committed to hosting the Winter Games in a "green, inclusive, open and clean" manner, the venue's management team coordinated competition organization efforts with COVID-19 prevention and control measures, and delivered simple, safe and splendid curling matches during Beijing 2022.
The venue also continued strengthening communication with international organizations, the Beijing 2022 Organising Committee and local authorities, and delivered sound accommodation, transport and catering services for participants. The venue's barrier-free facilities were highly applauded by the athletes and other parties involved.
The center was also the first Olympic venue to open to the public after Beijing 2022. It launched a public visit season earlier in April, bringing people closer to authentic Winter Olympic experiences. The move aimed at further contributing to China's post-Games pledge of sustainability.
The National Aquatics Center is a model for the sustainable management of Olympic venues and is bound to leave even more precious Olympic legacies after Beijing 2022, Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, said during a visit to the venue on Feb. 8.
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