Beijing 2022 Olympics

[Randy W]

from the Global Times

Successful Olympics amid pandemic will inspire the world: experts

"With just one year left until the #2022WinterOlympics begin, Beijing is in full swing preparing for the grand sports gathering despite the pandemic."

An ongoing topic - click here for Most Recent Post

 

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Since China won the Olympic bid in 2015, the country has invested a lot in the Winter Games. The winter event has also influenced Chinese people economically, culturally and in their life.

 . . .

The 2022 Winter Games will be held in three clusters: downtown Beijing, Yanqing district of Beijing and Chongli county in Beijing's neighboring city Zhangjiakou in Hebei Province. Just before the one-year countdown to the 2022 Winter Games, construction work of all the 12 venues in the three clusters were completed in December 2020. 

Chongli, a small impoverished county, has become a Mecca for skiers because of the Winter Olympics. Before the Winter Olympics bid, Chongli had only four ski resorts. But now the county boasts of seven large-scale ski resorts, with 169 ski routes. 

China has constructed an expressway and high-speed railway to Chongli from Beijing as part of the Olympic project, reducing travel time to less than an hour. During the 2018-19 snow season, Chongli sold more than 1 million skiing tickets, earning tourism revenue of 2.05 billion yuan, Xinhua reported. In May 2019, Chongli was removed from China's list of poverty-stricken counties.

Sustainability has also played a key role in developing Beijing Olympic venues, as the 2008 Summer Games icons - including the "Birds' Nest" National Stadium, "Water Cube" National Swimming Center, Wukesong Arena - were re-designated to host events and competitions at the 2022 Winter Games.

 

 

Edited September 15, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

from the Global Times on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/115591005188475/videos/417268102859033

 

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GT Video

World's fastest driverless train with a maximum speed of 350km/h, 100% clean energy power supply… With Chinese people welcoming the 1-year countdown to @Beijing2022 on Feb 4, the use of high tech and green tech is worth highlighting.

 

 

High tech and green energy highlighted in Beijing Winter Olympics

 

[Randy W]

Beijing 2022 construction work to be done by October

Published:17:55, July 18, 2021By Xinhua

in ChinaDailyHK

 

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The National Stadium, also dubbed the "Bird's Nest", will become the only venue in history to host opening and closing ceremonies for both Summer and Winter Olympic Games, having previously done so in 2008 when Beijing hosted the Summer Games.

The National Stadium, also dubbed the "Bird's Nest", will become the only venue in history to host opening and closing ceremonies for both Summer and Winter Olympic Games, having previously done so in 2008 when Beijing hosted the Summer Games

As of July 17, 53 of 57 Winter Olympic projects in both Beijing and Yanqing competition zones have been completed. The remaining four projects, including the national stadium's construction and renovation, will be completed this year.

 

 

Edited July 21, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

With the Winter Olympics in Beijing just six months away, the Chinese authorities are planning elaborate precautions against Covid-19. The measures are expected to go far beyond those taken at the Tokyo Games.

from the NY Times on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/5281959998/posts/10152746498349999/

Tokyo’s Olympic Bubble? Wait Till You See Beijing’s.
For the Winter Games, just six months away, China plans far more elaborate Covid-19 precautions than were taken at the Summer Olympics.

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When the Games end, practically everyone involved will be required to leave China or endure several weeks of total isolation in government-run quarantine centers, undergoing numerous medical tests, according to people familiar with Beijing’s preparations.

That will include thousands of Chinese staff, who will have to live in the bubble throughout the Games and then “re-enter” the rest of China after a lengthy quarantine. No decision has been announced on vaccination requirements for participation in the Games, or on the shorter quarantines for people arriving for the Olympics from overseas.

 . . .

People’s Daily gave no indication that such a robot would be used at the Olympics, and the Beijing committee did not respond to a question about it. But China has test-run a different technology that will be deployed at the Games: armpit thermometers that stick like Band-Aids and transmit the person’s temperature.

 

 

[Randy W]

Check out the fantastic Beijing Winter Olympics venues! In 180 days, the dreams of athletes will be realized and the Olympic spirit will continue here. Beijing will deliver an excellent Winter #Olympics to the world. #Beijing2022

Does the "Water Cube" now become the "Ice Cube"?

from China Daily on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/chinadaily/posts/10159671073586291

[Randy W]

This China-only event in Xi'an may give an idea of what COVID restrictions may do for the Winter Olympics, if foreign visitors are allowed.

Protecting China’s National Games from Covid-19
Xi'an is taking extensive measures to fight the spread of Covid-19 at China's National Games, where some 14,000 athletes will compete.

from the SCMP on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/scmp/videos/451973972669976/

Wikipedia:
The 14th National Games will be one of the first major multi-sport events to allow spectators, which have to provide test certificates within 72 hours prior to entering any venues.

The National Games of the People's Republic of China (simplified Chinese: 中华人民共和国全国运动会; traditional Chinese: 中華人民共和國全國運動會; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Quánguó Yùndònghuì), sometimes known as the All China Games (though not to be confused with the All-China Games), is the premier sports event in China at national level. It is usually held once every four years, most recently in August 2017, when the 13th National Games of China took place in Tianjin.

Edited September 15, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

I'm hearing on CGTN that only China Mainland visitors will be allowed as spectators at the Beijing Winter Olympics next year.

Sounds like the athletes will be in their own little bubble.

 

 . . . and from Reuters

Olympics-Beijing Games to allow spectators only from mainland China

Ceremony unveiling the slogan for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, in Beijing

Tickets for the Beijing 2022 winter Olympics will be sold to spectators from mainland China only, while unvaccinated athletes must spend 21 days in quarantine ahead of the Games, the International Olympic Committee said on Wednesday.

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It is also good news for broadcasting rights holders as well as sponsors, following the coverage of the Tokyo Games with the empty stands in the background.

The IOC said among the Beijing safety principles were that all fully vaccinated participants would enter what it called a "closed-loop management system" immediately upon their arrival, within which they will move freely.

They will not need to quarantine and this system will cover all Games-related areas and stadiums as well as accommodation, catering and the opening and closing ceremonies, served by a dedicated transport system.

All domestic and international participants as well as the workforce in the system will be tested daily, the IOC said.

Participants who are not fully vaccinated must spend 21 days in quarantine when arriving in the Chinese capital. The Games themselves last 16 days in total.

 

 

 

Edited September 30, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

China hopes to provide a platform and positive influence for the world through the #WinterOlympics, and show more maturity and wisdom in dealing with accusations and boycotts about hosting: expert said. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202110/1236660.shtml

from the Global Times on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/globaltimesnews/posts/4577357332345131

Olympic Flame for Beijing 2022 Winter Games lit in Ancient Olympia

https://www.facebook.com/globaltimesnews/posts/4577416379005893

The Olympic Flame that will be burning for the #Beijing2022  Winter Games was ignited at the birthplace of the Games in Ancient Olympia, #Greece on Monday during a traditional lighting ceremony. http://www.china.org.cn/photos/2021-10/19/content_77818270.htm

from China.org.cn on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/chinaorgcn/posts/7074394182586676

Edited October 19, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

Beijing 2022 Olympic medals design unveiled with 100 days to go

from Xinhua

https://vodpub2.v.news.cn/publish/20211026/XxjspeE007047_20211026_CBMFN0A001.mp4

Preparations for Beijing 2022 have moved into their final stages as the unveiling of the medals marked the 100-day countdown to the Games.

[Randy W]

China’s Hockey Team Is So Bad It Might Be Dropped From the Olympics
Months ahead of the Beijing Games, hockey officials are trying to balance competitive concerns with fears about embarrassing the host nation.

China has spent billions on its Olympic preparations. What it doesn’t have yet is a men’s hockey team that merits a place in the Games.Credit...Tingshu Wang/Reuters

from the NYTimes

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With the Games only months away, hockey’s global governing body is giving serious consideration to dropping China’s hockey team from the men’s competition. The reason? China is simply not good enough, and it appears likely to face a series of blowout defeats after having been drawn in the same pool as the powerhouse teams from the United States and Canada.

The fate of China’s participation could be decided as early as next week in Zurich at a board meeting of the governing body, the International Ice Hockey Federation. If it is dropped, China would become the first host nation to be removed from the Olympic hockey competition since hosting rights guaranteed participation, a tradition that started at the Turin Games in 2006.

 . . . And while the removal of the team would be an embarrassment for China, heavy defeats at the hands of geopolitical rivals — and especially the United States — might be even more unwelcome for China’s top leader, Xi Jinping. He has made the Beijing Games a top priority as China prepares for an opportunity to showcase its relative success in taming the coronavirus and its ever-growing affluence and influence.

 

 

[Randy W]

Early snow hits 2022 Winter Olympics host city Beijing

Nov 8, 2021

 

Edited January 23, 2022 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics will be the first Games in history to exclusively power all venues with clean energy from renewable sources. Solar and wind power will be generated in the Zhangbei area of Hebei province.
All venues can be reached via public transportation.
For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, Beijing will use carbon dioxide in its ice-making procedures. Removing ozone layer-harming Freon as a refrigerant in ice making during the Games is expected to help reduce carbon emissions equivalent to that of 3,900 cars per year, and cut emissions from the activity to nearly zero.
The new ice-making technology will also significantly save electricity. #Beijing2022

from China Pictorial on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/ChinaPic/posts/4308683259257030

 

[Randy W]

Beijing 2022: Beijing and Zhangjiakou connected by cutting-edge technology
When high-speed trains are equipped with lightning internet connection, exciting new possibilities emerge. Such is the case with a 5G express designed especially for the Winter Olympics. China Media Group has launched a new studio for the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics. As Reporter Zhao Yunfei reports, it's no ordinary facility. #5Gexpress #Beijing2022

from CGTN on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/ChinaGlobalTVNetwork/videos/1042833062929511/

Edited January 6, 2022 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

Reporters have been spotted carrying bags from the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing as they run around venues for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. 
Similar media bags, made 14 years ago in Beijing, have also been seen on the backs and shoulders of many journalists at other Olympics such as those in Tokyo, Rio and London. 
An Iranian reporter who covered Beijing 2008 said, “All the Olympic Games I carried it. I have covered four Olympic Games. Each time I carried the Beijing media bag because its quality is very good. It is specially designed for professional photographers.”
For the 2022 Games, reporters will receive a new media package which contains notebooks, pens, thermos, hats and cultural souvenirs such as paper-cut window decoration and Chinese knots. #Beijing 2022

from China Pictorial on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/ChinaPic/posts/4533452013446819

[Randy W]

Beijing 2022 official says behaviour by athletes that violates the 'Olympic spirit' could be subject to punishment, after athletes cautioned about human rights protests ⤵️

from AL Jazeera English on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera/posts/10160546147283690

Beijing 2022: Athletes warned about speaking out on human rights
Beijing 2022 official warns against violation of ‘Olympic spirit’, after athletes cautioned about human rights protests.

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Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter states that “no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites”, although it was relaxed last year to allow for gestures on the field if they are made without disruption and with respect for competitors.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made it clear that athletes are free to express their opinions on any matter in news conferences and interviews within the Olympic bubble, as long as it is not during competition or medal ceremonies.

Yang Shu, deputy director general of Beijing 2022’s International Relations Department, was asked during a virtual briefing on Wednesday about concerns for athletes if they speak out about rights issues during the Winter Games, which begin on February 4.

“Any expression that is in line with the Olympic spirit I’m sure will be protected and anything and any behaviour or speeches that is against the Olympic spirit, especially against Chinese laws and regulations, are also subject to certain punishment,” Yang said.