Beijing Games stoke global goodwill for 'shared future'

LONDON－When elementary school pupils in Britain cheered "Let's go!" in Mandarin and chanted "Meet Me in Beijing", their eyes shone brightly.

These children, living more than 7,000 kilometers away from China, sent their best wishes to the upcoming 2022 Olympic Winter Games－just like many people from all over the world.

Elliot Frennstedt, a Swedish citizen, said he was looking forward to watching the competitions, especially cross-country skiing.

"My family and I usually organize annual trips to go skiing, like a lot of Swedish people. And obviously Sweden is one of the countries at the forefront of winter sports," he said.

Sweden has participated in every Winter Olympic Games since the first edition in Chamonix, France in 1924. The Scandinavian country has been extremely successful in cross-country skiing, which accounts for 31 out of its total 60 gold medals from Winter Games.

Although Namibia in southwest Africa has never competed at the Winter Olympics, Heiko Fleidl from its capital Windhoek wished Beijing 2022's athletes all the best.

"They must enjoy the sport. They must enjoy China. They must do it for the love of the sport," said the 37-year-old engineer.

Fourteen years after staging the 2008 Summer Games with the motto "One World, One Dream", Beijing is set to host the Winter Games. The motto may have changed but the sentiment remains the same: "Together for a shared future."

Next week, nearly 3,000 athletes from around 90 countries and regions will compete in the world's first dual Olympic city.

There will be thrills and spills, laughter and tears, but undoubtedly each participant will bring home special memories as winter sports' biggest showcase is staged on schedule while the COVID-19 pandemic still rages.

Viktor Hald Thorup has been dreaming of competing in Beijing since he watched the 2008 Summer Games on TV.

"Cool, my dream comes true, and I'm not only going there to compete, but also to compete at the Olympics," said the 27-year-old Danish speed skater.

The two-time Olympian believes that China has been working hard to minimize the risk caused by COVID-19, and he is confident that the Games will be staged smoothly.

Since the start of the year, Beijing 2022 has been operating a closed-loop system for Games participants and personnel to stave off the threat of COVID-19.

Olympic debutant Marcus Wyatt, who claimed a silver medal in men's skeleton at a test event at the National Sliding Center in Yanqing last October, did not think that the restrictions and frequent testing during the Games would make the competitions tougher.

"Like everyone else, we've got used to COVID over the last two years. It's probably not ideal that we have had two seasons competing under COVID restrictions, so it's no different really to how we are doing," the Briton said.

"If COVID was to go away tomorrow, that would be brilliant. But it's not going to happen. So the fact that we are in the Olympic Games, that's the main part. I'm just happy it's going ahead."

As one of the many sports officials attending the Games, Andrzej Krasnickithe, president of the Polish Olympic Committee, is convinced that China is well-prepared for the Winter Games.

"For sure it would be fantastic if fans of all countries could participate in the Games, but safety and health are the most important," said Krasnickithe.

Clifton Grima, Malta's Minister of Education and Sport, is certain that Beijing 2022 will leave a positive lasting impression on every participant.

"I'm sure that it will be an experience to cherish for all the athletes participating, all the Olympic committees participating. It will be a feast of sport," said Grima.

Xinhua