Beijing Promises Clean Air for 2022 Winter Olympics -- On the Scene

(ATR) The vice-mayor of Beijing delivers a pledge to stem the city’s notorious smog by 2022, in time for the Winter Olympics.

"We will spare no efforts to improve the air quality, we still need the blessing from heaven, many people wonder if we can get that luck," said Zhang Jiandong, who is one of the leaders of the Winter Games bid.

The Chinese capital and Almaty, Kazakhstan are the only two cities in the race for the 2022 Games, the IOC deciding July 31.

Beijing bid organizers are conducting a four-day media tour of the venues planned to be used in the city and the mountain venues 150 km north.

Zhang said Beijing hosted the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit last November, during which the capital enjoyed clear air that was assisted by extreme measures, such as temporary factory shutdowns. The Beijing bid book for the 2022 Winter Games contemplates replacing coal-fired power plants with natural gas and bringing alternative energy sources online.

"During the APEC summit we can see the APEC blue," Zhang said. "If we can implement all the measures we can improve the air quality. I believe that in the next seven years we will improve the air quality."

Zhang said the Beijing bid enjoys the full support of national leadership leadership, including president Xi Jinping. Xi met this week with Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, president of the Association of National Olympic Committees and the Olympic Council of Asia.

Zhang says the Winter Olympics could inspire 300 million Chinese to participate regularly in winter sports.

Meanwhile, hockey is booming as 97 youth teams exist in the Beijing area.

In rural Chongli, there are 10 resorts with 100 ski runs.

Zhang’s briefing was in the 20-story former home of BOCOG. The look of the 2008 Games still dominates the building, whether it be the giant dancing logo or the flags and banners that include the "One world, one dream" motto.

"For many years we haven’t changed the logos of the 2008 Olympic Games in this building," he said. "We would like to take the legacy of the 2008 Games and to seek the best practices of the games."

"Running athletes-centred games, means that through the bidding and organizing in the Olympic Games we will guarantee the best performance of the athletes, in the training, competing, transportation, accommodation, catering as well as medical services," he said.

Eleven ice venues would be reused from the 2008 Games. Only the speedskating oval would be new. Zhang said this is in keeping with the efficiency and economical strategy urged by IOC president Thomas Bach in his Agenda 2020 strategy.

Since Beijing hosted the 2008 Games, social media -- including Facebook and Twitter -- has grown rapidly and become a key method for athletes to communicate to their fans and for sponsors to promote their Olympic athletes. It has also been met with Chinese-government mandated censorship by blocking access to citizen foreign websites.

"Beijing is a very open city, but just like other western countries, we control the illegal content of the Internet," said Wang Hui, the bid’s top spokesperson.

Wang said the rapid development of the Internet means it is crucial to provide "healthy content."

During the 2008 Games, accredited media were able to access the Internet, which is normally blocked in China. Since then, social media has become a cornerstone of media and a popular method for commercial endorsements, media coverage and fan engagement.

Zhang said the IOC will be faced with a decision on July 31 in Kuala Lumpur between Almaty and Beijing. The former is hoping to host the Games for the first time, the latter is using its reputation to become the first Summer Games city to also host the Winter Games.

"Which city will the IOC choose for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games? Because there are still (seven years) to go, I believe the IOC will choose a safe, reliable and risk-free city. I believe Beijing is the one," said the vice mayor.

Written and reported in Beijing by Bob Mackin

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