Beijing Winter Olympics 2022

The 24^th Olympic Winter Games also known as the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics is scheduled to take place from February 4 to 20, 2022, in Beijing, China. After the 29^th Olympic Summer Games were successfully held in Beijing in 2008, the Olympic Winter Games would be organised in the same city, making Beijing the first “Double Olympic City” to host both Summer and Winter Olympic Games in history.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to the work of the Beijing Olympic Winter Games. While inspecting the preparatory work for Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in January 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasised that the Olympic Games is a major event for the Chinese government and excellently organising the Games is the foremost priority for the Chinese government as it shows China’s solemn commitment to the international community. China will adhere to the principle of hosting the “green, inclusive, open and clean Olympic Winter Games”. While sparing no effort in the preparation work for the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Beijing will offer a “fantastic, extraordinary and excellent” Olympic Games to the world.

On January 25 and May 7 of 2021, President Xi had two telephonic conversations with International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach. President Xi said that the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics are a grand event for all countries and a stage of fair competition for athletes from all over the world. China has the confidence and ability to work together with the IOC and the international community to ensure the success of the Beijing Olympic Winter Games. Bach said the IOC firmly adheres to the Olympic Charter, opposes the politicisation of the Olympic Games, and stands ready to continue its close cooperation with China. The IOC will also offer full support for China in hosting the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics as scheduled. He is confident that the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics will show the world the power of example in fighting the pandemic, promote the global development of winter sports, and make important contributions to the development of the Olympic movement.

Recently, His Excellencies President Arif Alvi and Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser, both have expressed their strong support for Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. President Alvi believes that “through the successful hosting of Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games, China International Import Expo and many other grand events, China has shown the world its excellent ability of organising and coordinating international activities, and he believes that China surely could hold the most successful Winter Olympic Games”. Mr Qaiser, the Speaker, expressed that Pakistan supports China’s hosting of the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and it’s his belief that there is no doubt China will present a wonderful Olympic Games to the world. We are very grateful to the Pakistani government and all Pakistani friends for your strong support for Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Under the leadership of President Xi, the Chinese government and the Beijing Organising Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are committed to the mission of hosting “green, inclusive, open and clean” Olympic Winter Games throughout the whole preparation work. Here it is my great pleasure to share with people and friends from all walks of life in Pakistan about the progress of preparatory work for the Beijing 2022 Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games, share the concepts and principles of the organisational work of these games, and sincerely invite Pakistani athletes to China to participate in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics.

Green Olympics: Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics will adhere to the concept of ecological priority, resources conservation, and environmental friendliness. The Organising Committee has formulated and implemented a low carbon management work plan, striving to achieve the total neutralisation of carbon emissions. Beijing Winter Olympics will achieve a 100% green power supply for all venues for the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, and actively plans to use the venues after the games.

Inclusive Olympics: In line with the principle of joint participation, joint efforts, and common enjoyment, the Organising Committee for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games has mobilised social forces to participate in the Olympic Games, developed the winter sports vigorously, accelerated training of winter sports professionals, and improved the competitive level of winter sports in China. At the same time, it also strives to achieve the grand goal of “300 million people taking part in ice and snow sports”.

Open Olympics: The Organising Committee for Beijing Winter Olympics is continuously strengthening the sports exchanges between China and foreign countries and cooperating with international sports organisations. By learning from the experience of Beijing Summer Olympics and other countries’ experience in hosting sports games, the Organising Committee intends to create a new window for promoting the Olympic spirit and improving the exchanges and mutual learning of various civilisations through the Winter Olympics.

Clean Olympics: The Organising Committee will set up and improve rules and regulations, adopt stringent budget management, control the Games’ cost, strengthen the supervision and show zero tolerance to doping to make the Beijing Olympic Winter Games as pure and clean as ice and snow.

President Xi has pointed out that safety is the bottom line for major sporting events. Among the challenges faced by the preparation for the Beijing Olympic Winter Games, epidemic prevention and control is undoubtedly the top priority. In the face of severe challenges, China and the International Olympic Committee have worked together and achieved remarkable progress in preparations for the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, as well as in strengthening the vaccine cooperation.

In October 2021, the Beijing Olympic Winter Games will enter the Games time operation stage. The Organising Committee will organise relevant publicity and cultural activities, torch relay ceremony as well as opening and closing ceremonies to ensure a good winter Olympic atmosphere.

Sports exchange is an important bridge to promote friendship between China and Pakistan. Strengthening sports exchanges can enhance mutual understanding and deepen friendship between people of we two nations. China and Pakistan also have great potential and an abundance of opportunities for cooperation and exchanges in the field of ice and snow sports.

We sincerely invite athletes from all over the world, including Pakistan, to participate in the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in China to experience Chinese culture and learn about China’s development. We believe that with the quality service and professional support of the Organising Committee, all athletes would have an unforgettable Winter Olympic experience and fulfil their Winter Olympic dreams.

Let’s meet in Beijing in 2022!

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2021.

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