Second version of Beijing 2022 playbooks released

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), in conjunction with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and Beijing 2022, released a second version of the Beijing 2022 playbooks on Monday.

The playbooks outline the measures taken and required by the organizations, in consultation with the Chinese government and relevant health authorities, to maintain the safety of those involved in the Olympic and Paralympic Games during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest update includes information directly requested by stakeholders in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The IOC claims this approach was taken to provide transparency, and to ensure all participants understand what is expected of them, having been involved in the development process of the playbooks.

Speaking on the release, IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi commented, “Together with the IPC and Beijing 2022, we have worked closely with the world’s leading experts in health and sports event delivery to finalize and put in place the necessary COVID-19 countermeasures that will enable the Games to take place safely and successfully.”

“By creating a secure environment, this will provide a unique Games-time experience, designed to help athletes fully focus on the fundamentals of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games – sports competition. This guides all our planning and will ensure that the attention remains on the outstanding performances we can expect from the world’s best winter athletes in Beijing next year. "

As part of the three organization’s efforts to help guide stakeholders in the Olympic and Paralympic Games through the health protocols in effect for Beijing 2022, a “key points to remember” section was added to the latest version of the playbooks.

Additional information about vaccinations, customs entry requirements, flight booking, pre-departure testing, the pre-Games period, the closed-loop system, accommodation, transport, food and beverage, screening testing, health monitoring, and close contact management are also offered in the second version of the Beijing 2022 playbooks.

Han Zirong, Vice President and Secretary General of Beijing 2022, stated, “after full consultation and extensive discussion, Beijing 2022, the IOC and the IPC jointly formulated the second edition of the Playbooks on the basis of refining and perfecting the first edition of the Playbooks.”

“The measures outlined in the playbooks are formulated in accordance with the latest COVID-19 scientific research, expert opinions and the experience of other international competitions.”

“We believe that these countermeasures can effectively reduce the risk of COVID-19; ensure that athletes and all Olympic and Paralympic participants can safely and conveniently engage in training, competition and work during the Beijing 2022 Games; and protect the health and safety of the local population.”

He concluded, “we hope everyone can strictly abide by the Playbooks and work together to deliver to the world simple, safe and splendid Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.”

Colleen Wrenn, the IPC’s Chief Paralympic Games Delivery Officer, added, “with the experience gained in the delivery of major events around the world and the input of medical experts, we are confident the measures outlined in the Playbooks will allow participants to take part in the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games while protecting their health. Crucially, also, the playbooks are designed to safeguard the health of all participants and the people of China.”

Upon the release of the second version of the playbooks, the IOC, IPC, and Beijing 2022 acknowledged the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting any additional and necessary countermeasures will be implemented right up to and during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

For now, organizers continue preparations for the Games with less than two months to go until the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics. The Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games will take place from February 4 to February 20, 2022. They will be followed by the 2022 Winter Paralympics, which begin on March 4 and close on March 13, 2022.