Beijing 2022 demonstrates why it is the right partner for the IOC to help carry Olympism into a new era

In support of Olympic Agenda 2020, Beijing 2022 highlights strengths of sustainability,existing venues and remarkable winter sports legacy

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commissionvisit to Beijing has begun today with the Beijing 2022 bid looking to demonstrate it is theright partner for the IOC to further enhance the power of Olympism. The bid marked thefirst day of the visit with a pledge to fully support the IOC’s Agenda 2020 objective to carryOlympism forward into a new era, presenting a Games that offers sustainability, existingvenues and a remarkable winter sports legacy.

During the first day of the IOC Evaluation Commission visit,members were presented withdetails of Beijing 2022’s overarching vision and plans for legacy and engagement;sustainability; overall Games concept; organisation of the Olympic Villages, and anoverview of the proposed venues in Beijing.

An opening ceremony was held in the morning to mark the official start of the visit, withthe Beijing 2022 delegation led by Madam Liu Yandong, Chinese Vice Premier, andincluding senior Beijing 2022 Bid officials and athletes, such as Ms. Yang Yang, Olympicchampion and current IOC member.

Madam Liu Yandong, Vice Premier of China’s State Council, delivered the opening remarksby pledging the full support of the Chinese Government towards the Beijing 2022 Bid:"We will fully honor all our commitments made in the Bid and provide solid and reliablefinancial and legal guarantee in hosting a successful 2022 Olympic and Paralympic WinterGames."

The welcoming remarks were followed by an in-depth presentation on Beijing 2022’sVision, Legacy and Engagement plans led by Mr. Wu Jingmi, Deputy Secretary-General ofthe Beijing 2022 Bid Committee.

Mr. Wu said: "Hosting the Olympic Winter Games is the shared aspiration of the Chinesepeople who, in 2008, delivered a ‘truly exceptional’ Summer Olympic Games to the world.So bringing the Olympic Flame back to Beijing will further enhance China’s commitmentto the Olympic values, and contribute to the accountability of the Olympic Movement."

He added: "While Beijing 2022 brings the Olympic Winter Games directly to 300 millionlocal residents, Beijing 2022 will bring 300 million Chinese people directly into the OlympicMovement."

Wu continued to describe Beijing 2022’s legacy commitment: "Beijing 2022’s visionembraces a tremendous social legacy, with a far-reaching and meticulously-plannedvenue and infrastructure legacy, and a remarkable winter sports legacy."

"Eleven of the twelve competition and non-competition venues to be used for the Gamesin the Beijing Zone are legacy venues from 2008, while all new venues already have wellplannedpost-games uses."

The Evaluation Commission heard Beijing 2022’s own extensive legacy plans, whichinclude:

Significant development of China’s winter sports industry and market

Wide ranging extension of the Olympic school education program nation-wide,with millions of teenagers offered opportunities to practice winter sports underthe national plan of the General Administration of Sport of China,

Delivering a new model of sustainable development for the region and beyond,which will positively impact many generations to come,

Creating approximately 60,000 new jobs across sports, culture, tourism andleisure industries through a National Strategy of the Development of the BeijingTianjin-HebeiCultural and Tourism Belt.

Wu concluded: "We are confident that the Beijing 2022 Legacy will be powerful, farreachingand attractive with a solid foundation and appealing proposition for both theOlympic Movement and China."

During the afternoon, the IOC Evaluation Commission visited all proposed venues andsites in the Beijing cluster. Five are a direct legacy from the Beijing 2008 Olympic andParalympic Games and all are existing and successfully operating today. At each venue,they heard detailed presentations about plans for Games and post-Games use for each.

The venue tour for the Evaluation Commission delegation included visits to the:

Linglong Tower, with sky-rise views overlooking all the venues

National Stadium (also known as the Bird’s Nest), which would host the Openingand Closing Ceremonies of Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

National Aquatics Centre (also known as the Water Cube), planned Curling venue

National Indoor Stadium – planned Men’s Ice Hockey venue

Capital Indoor Stadium – planned Short Track and Figure Skating venue

Wukesong Sports Centre - planned Women’s Ice Hockey venue

The delegates also visited the National Speed Skating Stadium and the Olympic Villagesites, which will already be built before 2022 independent of the Games.

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