Beijing 2022 Takes Cautious First Steps -- On the Scene

(ATR) Beijing claims to be a safe, reliable, risk-free choice for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Members of the Beijing 2022 bid committee, led by president and Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun, addressed international media in Bangkok on the sidelines of the Association of National Olympic Committees general assembly in Bangkok. It was the first such briefing since the Nov.1 launch of international promotion.

"China enjoys political stability, economic prosperity and social harmony, which is a solid foundation and powerful guarantee for Beijing bid," Anshun said.

The press briefing came six hours prior to presentations from Beijing 2022 and its sole rival from Almaty, Kazakhstan to the ANOC, the first presentations permitted under IOC rules.

Building upon the legacy of the 2008 Summer Games, Beijing 2022 aims to deliver an athlete-centric, cost-effective and sustainable Games. They also hope to raise the winter sports culture in China and contribute to the development of the Olympic Movement.

"With the enthusiasm and value of the 1.3 billion Chinese people to the Olympic movement and the foreign backing for Beijing’s bidding and hosting of the Olympic Winter Games, we believe that Beijing is fully capable of staging Games that is safe, spectacular and enjoyable," said the Beijing 2022 president.

"We regard the 2022 Olympic Winter Games as a great opportunity to popularize and promote the Olympic movement and accelerate the urban and regional development," Wang added.

He also emphasized Beijing 2022’s focus on catering to all needs of the athletes.

"We adhere to the concept of running athlete-centered Games and regard the athletes convenience as the top priority," Anshun said. "We will provide all-around and high quality services for athletes in aspect of training, competition, accommodations, transportation, food and beverage and medical care."

Wang also underlined the potential benefits to the citizens of Beijing, should the Chinese capital win the race for 2022, thus becoming the first city to host both summer and winter editions of the Games.

"Beijing 2022 will light the torch for all-around development for winter sports in China," he said. "Hosting the Games will directly encourage 300 million people in and around Beijing to participate in winter sports."

After delivering his statement – which lasted approximately 15 minutes – the Beijing 2022 president did not answer any questions from reporters. A busy schedule was cited for the brief appearance.

Other members from the Chinese bid committee remained to answer questions.

Pressed about continued concerns regarding air pollution in the Chinese capital, Beijing 2022 media director Wang Hui advised that the two mountain clusters – Yanqing and Zhangjiakou – have very good air, unlike Beijing.

Madame Wang added that Beijing 2022’s goal is for "all the athletes, coaches, spectators and media to enjoy clean air."

Beijing 2022 proposes to hold ice events at arenas in the capital city and two clusters for ski and sliding events. The Yanquing mountain cluster – which will host alpine skiing and sliding sports – is projected to be just 20 minutes from the Chinese capital by a proposed high-speed train.

Zhangjiakou – the second mountain cluster which will be home to freestyle skiing, snowboarding and Nordic events – is expected to be less than an hour from Beijing.

Both mountain clusters will have an Olympic village and media center.

Earlier in the week, Beijing 2022 also released a new video showcasing the region and proposed venues titled "Joyful Rendezvous upon Pure Ice and Snow."

The IOC will decide between the two candidates for the 2022 Winter Games at the 2015 Session in Kuala Lumpur July 31. 


Written by Brian Pinelli in Bangkok

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