The influence is reflected in the architecture and red-brick Russian Orthodox churches, which sit beside the skyscrapers that dot most Chinese cities these days.

Should the bid be launched, Harbin's main Asian rival is likely to be South Korea's Pyeongchang, 850 km away as the crow flies and gearing up for a third bid after making the shortlist for both the 2010 and 2014 Games.

Olympic goodwill

China has undoubtedly garnered a great deal of goodwill in the Olympic movement.

The global economic downturn also means candidate cities for the Olympics may become thinner on the ground and analysts see the Chinese economy weathering the crisis better than most.

Despite enthusiastic support from Heilongjiang Governor Li Zhanshu, any bid for the Olympics would have to be signed off by the sports ministry.

That looks more likely now that China has decided against bidding for the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup finals as officials had said they would not go for both.

"The Universiade...brings Harbin closer to the Winter Olympic Games," Xiao Tian, deputy director at the sports ministry, told Xinhua news agency.

"Harbin still has a long way to go as we have not even held an Alpine skiing World Cup event yet."

Cao said Harbin would be aiming to attract more world-class events to its new venues and wanted to help China develop more Winter Olympic medalists - most of China's top winter sports competitors come from the city.

"Our plan is quite simply to be the biggest snow and ice training center in China," said Cao.

Agencies