12 Nov 2021 - With the first snow of winter falling in Beijing’s competition zones, the Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 presented its latest progress update to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board today.
Now in full operational mode, Beijing 2022 underlined that the finer details are now being worked through as it gets ready to welcome the world in February.
Beijing 2022 confirmed that all 12 competition venues have been completed and passed the International Federations’ homologation. The three Olympic Villages, Main Media Centre, National Stadium, and other non-competition venues have also been handed over for use, and the overlay construction is proceeding smoothly. Ice-making has been completed in the venues for ice sports, and “Look of the Games” plans have been completed.
These facilities and the associated services are currently being refined during a series of test events and training activities taking place in Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou. In October, international competitions in speed skating, figure skating, short track speed skating, wheelchair curling, bobsleigh and skeleton all took place. In November and December, further international events for luge, freestyle skiing and snowboard will be held, along with ice hockey testing activities.
Let's watch a sneak peek of the stunning snow❄ scenes in Zhangjiakou Competition Zone, one of the three #Beijing2022 competition zones. ✨❄ pic.twitter.com/vxPhsfYwaP
— Beijing 2022 (@Beijing2022) November 10, 2021
While some of these events welcomed spectators from the local community, preparations to open ticket sales for the Games, to fans from mainland China, are being finalised.
In addition, Beijing 2022 highlighted the success of its recent engagement activities, which included the 100-days-to-go celebrations, and the launch of the Olympic and Paralympic medals as well as uniforms for volunteers, officials and the workforce. The Olympic flame also continues to be on display in the Beijing Olympic Museum in Beijing’s Olympic Park.
Organisers also continue to finalise COVID-19 countermeasures following the release of the first versions of the Playbooks for the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. The second editions are expected to be published on 8 December.
The Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 will open on 4 and close on the evening of 20 February. The Paralympic Winter Games then take place between 4 and 13 March.
