Olympic committee ends inspection of proposed Beijing venues for 2022 bid

China's Sports Minister Liu Peng (2nd from right) introduces skiing facilities to Alexander Zhukov (3rd from right), head of the IOC Evaluation Commission, at a proposed venue for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Chongli, Zhangjiakou, Hebei province March 26, 2015. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/chinadaily.com.cn]

Through the preparation and operation of the Winter Olympics, Beijing 2022 will connect local residents directly with the Olympic movement. China is dedicated to establishing a profound sports culture and developing the huge winter sports market by encouraging public participation in winter sports.

Meanwhile, the Beijing 2022 bid will directly create approximately 600,000 jobs within the plan to develop sport, culture and tourism in the region.

In recent years, many ski courses in the area have been approved by the International Ski Federation (FIS), with a large number of national and international ski competitions held, including the FIS RACE and the FIS Far East Cup ski events. Zhangjiakou is also the training and competition base of the Chinese National Ski Team, and it is experiencing increasing popularity – both for professional and leisure skiers from surrounding countries.

All Beijing 2022 snow venues will remain a legacy for the Olympic Movement worldwide and will continue to serve as both domestic and international competition and training venues, while the ongoing development of leisure skiers' tourism in the area is also expected to be significantly boosted by the Games.

Beijing 2022 Games will also provide an outstanding opportunity to further promote Paralympic winter sports and to give 85 million people living with impairment in China the chance to take part in sports year ‘round.

Speaking at a media briefing this afternoon, Hou Bin, Paralympic high jump champion and Beijing 2022 Ambassador, said: "Sport and the Paralympic Games completely changed my life and I couldn't imagine I'd be who I am today if I didn't have this opportunity. I witnessed the lives of people with disabilities in my country change to the better as a result of the Beijing 2008 Summer Games and I am convinced that hosting the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games will give them more opportunities to live their lives to the fullest and enjoy sports and an accessible environment all year ‘round."

Upon their return to Beijing in the evening, members of the IOC Evaluation Commission had an opportunity to visit the National Convention Center, which successfully hosted the International Broadcast Center (IBC) in 2008 and fully complies with space, technical and location requirements to serve as the Main Media Center during the 2022 Games.

Smooth and efficient media operations were one of the strong successes of the 2008 Games. Beijing 2022 will build on this experience to ensure broad coverage of the Games, which will reach even more winter sports fans all over the world.