Beijing Answers IOC Snow Fears -- On the Scene

(ATR) Beijing 2022’s biggest problem, a lack natural snow, may have diminished as a major concern after the Chinese bid’s pitch to the IOC.

The bid from Beijing followed Almaty in presenting their bidding concepts and Olympic vision to the IOC members gathered at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne Tuesday.

Last week, the IOC Evaluation Commission’s report underscored the greatest risk to the bid – the region’s minimal

annual snowfall and dependence on artificial snow to stage the Games.

But several IOC members canvassed immediately after Beijing’s presentation gave the impression that they were convinced of the bid’s snow-making capabilities.

ATR is told that Beijing’s bid team led by Chinese vice premier Liu Yandong delivered their presentation in a mixture of Chinese, English with a little French.

Chinese students from the Univeristy of Geneva waved flags as the bid delegation entered the auditorium.

Afterwards, Liu mingled with the students and gave some of them high-fives to the delight of some Chinese photographers and TV camera crews.

No questions came about China’s human rights issues. Beijing 2022 spokeswoman Yang Lan told reporters that there were 13 questions in all, covering topics such as snowmaking, air quality, transport, accommodations and medical services.

IOC Members React

On the snow-making question, Australia's John Coates tells ATR that Beijing bid officials clearly explained where the water would come from to make the snow and gave assurances about temperatures.

"The message came through that the Games will open up winter sports for a whole new generation of Chinese [300million, says the bid]," he said.

Barbados IOC member Austin Sealey said there was "no doubt" Beijing could deliver as previously shown at the 2008 Olympics.

Sealey was part of the IOC coordination commission for those Games.

With its winter sports setting, he described Almaty’s Olympic offering as a "very attractive bid."

"I am going to be studying the paperwork carefully [for each bid], seeing which one seems to be in the best interests of athletes," he added.

U.S. member Larry Probst said he was also assured by the snow-making explanations from Beijing.

Asked if the race was close with six or seven weeks to go, Probst suggested that the Kazakh bid, regarded as the

underdog by some, had emerged from the briefing as a stronger candidate.

Saying that a compact Games "is preferable," he said: "I think the Almaty presentation scored some points. I think they did a really good job. They drove home that message ‘Keeping it Real’… that was all about snow."

British IOC member Craig Reedie said Beijing played to the fact that "they are compact in three zones," saying the Chinese were highly professional and dealt well with questions concerning the lack of snow.

Asked if it was an even contest, the WADA president said: "I think it’s a healthy race, and I think it’s good for the IOC after much criticism of the whole process. I think we have two really good candidates."

Rene Fasel said both Almaty and Beijing presentations were very good.

The ice hockey federation chief said he was assured about China’s capacity for snow-making based on what his

counterpart at the ski federation, Gian-Franco Kasper, had told him.

He dismissed the suggestion that either bid had emerged as the frongrunner from Tuesday’s appeals to the IOC.

"There are some advantages and disadvantages for both sides," he said.

Sergey Bubka told ATR: "I think it’s a very exciting race and each time the level gets higher and stronger."

On Beijing’s main issue: "Today, you can have natural and artificial snow. I don’t think it makes a big difference."

Beijing 2022 React

Bid leader and vice premier for the State Council of China Liu Yandong promised 85 IOC members: "We will honor every commitment we have made. We are a safe and reliable choice."

She told reporters in the mixed zone after Beijing’s appeal that "all of our strengths were recognized by the IOC members."

But Liu did not take questions from media or attend Beijing’s afternoon press conference. It was left to Wang Anshun, the city’s mayor and bid president, to field the tough questions from media.

At the news conference, Wang was asked to address the air quality issues relating to the two proposed mountain venue regions – Zhangjiakou and Yanqing. He claimed that it will not be detrimental to athlete performances.

"Air quality in Zhangjiakou and Yanqing is well suited to outdoor sports and, by national standards, is considered good," Wang said. "Going forward, we will be putting in more plans for a series of targeted means to improve air quality, and we are confident that we will meet all required conditions."

Lan, who in addition to working with the bid committee is also a popular TV host in China, summarized Beijing’s efforts.

"We did terrific teamwork – every member of our team made a very effective delivery of the subjects we prepared for," Lan said. "We did our homework and engaged the audience by veryanswering all the questions."

Written by Mark Bisson andBrian Pinelli

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