Beijing makes final preparations for 2022 Winter Olympics bidding
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E-mail CNTV, July 29, 2015
With the IOC set to announce the city of the 2022 Winter Olympics on Friday, Beijing's Bid Committee is making final preparations for the upcoming announcement in Kuala Lumpur.
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With the decision just two days away, Beijing's Bid Committee is making final preparations for the upcoming announcement in Kuala Lumpur. |
But China's Winter Olympic ambitions stem far beyond just the games themselves, and the Committee is very much focused on leaving behind a legacy that could result in millions experiencing competition on snow and ice in the future. But before any plans can be developed, there are still issues to address to make the city a suitable host.
Beijing's 2022 Winter Olympic Games Bid Committee, along with that of Almaty, Kazakhstan, has been busy preparing for Friday's presentation to IOC members.
In the meantime, Beijing's bid team has been facing the world's media. And once again, the questions focused on whether there will be enough snow. For China's Olympic gold medalists Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo, the message was clear.
"Actually, Beijing 2022 presents a three-zone concept, with competition zones in Beijing, Zhangjiakou, and Yanqing. Admittedly, the snowfall in Beijing is relatively sparse, but Beijing will only stage the indoor ice sports. The snow sports will be in Zhangjiakou and Yanging, and the snowfall in these two zones is relatively big," said Xue.
The concern comes after the IOC Evaluation Commission listed Beijing's reliance on snow making in the mountain areas. Beijing's bid team say they have enough snow, but that artificial snow making machines will be on hand in any case.
"I learned from Li Ning, an aerial skier, that man-made snow is a necessity for her discipline, as natural snowfall may contain some particles that pose threats and risks to the discipline, so they will need man-made snow to compliment the natural snowfall, and we have enough water reserves around the competition venues, and the temperatures and meteorological conditions are suitable for man-made snow," said Zhao.
The Evaluation Report also highlighted the positives of a Beijing games, not least the potential of developing winter sports in China as a successful bid could potentially lead to 300 million new participants.
"The Olympics are a very big thing, and we very much look forward to hosting the Winter Games in China. A successful bid will help the athletes of the Winter Games realize their dreams. It will also promote the system and the development of Olympic sports in China," Zhao said.
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