Winter Olympics: Beijing 2022 remains on track as countermeasure planning progresses
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The International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and Beijing 2022 organizing committee concluded a virtual joint project review today. Achievements, future milestones and COVID-19 countermeasures were discussed.
The meetings took place on 19 and 20 November. IOC Coordination Commission Chair Juan Antonio Samaranch said, “The last two days have been very productive as we prepare to enter a crucial phase for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. With competition venues set to be completed by the end of this year and plans for One Year to Go activities developing, excitement is really beginning to build,“
He further said that despite the difficulties which will be posed for Beijing 2022, the progress that it has made is “remarkable“.
“Acknowledging the difficulties experienced this year, the progress being made by Beijing 2022 has been remarkable. This has been reflected through positive feedback from several International Federations that have visited Beijing in recent weeks. There will be challenges ahead, however, which is why – through, for example, the COVID-19 countermeasure working group – we are fully preparing for all eventualities,” he said.
He further added how the collaboration between different entities will ensure that they are “stronger together“. “To achieve this, the experience and expertise within the Local Organising Committee, the support from the Chinese and Beijing governments and the close collaboration between all Olympic and Paralympic Movement stakeholders will ensure we are stronger together. This will be vital to delivering outstanding Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing in 2022,” he added.
Winter Paralympics will offer ‘immense potential’
IPC president Andrew Parsons said, “Having set Beijing 2022 the target of taking the Paralympic Winter Games to the next level, they continue to make strong progress despite the unprecedented challenges they face as an Organising Committee,“
He further said that the Winter Olympics in China will offer “immense potential” to the people with disabilities in China. “Working with our counterparts at the IOC, we hope to continue the close collaboration with Beijing 2022 as they tackle a complex final full year before the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2022. The Games in Beijing offer immense potential and will do much to advance the rights of people with disabilities in China,” he said in an Olympics press release.
Beijing 2022 Executive Vice-President Zhang Jiandong highlighted that the collaboration with IOC and IPC was important, especially in overcoming the hurdles the pandemic has posed. “After the outbreak of COVID-19 earlier this year, closely collaborating with the IOC and IPC, Beijing 2022 not only prioritised the prevention and control of the pandemic, but also focused on Games preparations. We strive to overcome various difficulties and have made solid progress. In the coming days, facing the new situation and challenges, cooperation among all parties will be even further strengthened, thus laying a solid foundation for successful Beijing 2022 Games,“
Beijing 2022 competition venues to be completed by the end of the year
One of the key steps taken during this meeting was an agreement with all Games delivery partners on forming a COVID-19 countermeasures working group. This discussion enabled the IOC and the IPC to share the extensive work being done in this area for the upcoming Tokyo 2020. The work was possible due to the support of local and national governments, WHO and other experts across the world.
Beijing 2022 reported that the competition venues are on track to be completed by the end of the year. This follows several visits by International Federations in recent weeks. They include the pre-homologation of the sliding centre conducted by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) and International Luge Federation (FIL). The International Biathlon Union (IBU), World Curling Federation (WCF), International Skating Union (ISU) and International Ski Federation (FIS) also visited venues in Beijing last week.
The importance of regular communication was also highlighted during the Project Review. The recent World Press Briefing received a lot of positive feedback from the attendees. It was held online for the first time. The event welcomed more that 400 media representatives. It was a record for Winter Olympic Games edition. Further communications were delivered through a National Olympic Committee Open Day held earlier this week. It was also conducted online for the first time. Numerous other activities took place remotely. Such as the venue technical reviews and the Games services reviews.
In addition, the adapted sports testing programme was discussed. It followed a recent joint discussion by Beijing 2022, the Winter Olympic International Federations, the IOC and the IPC. In this respect a great collaboration was acknowledged. This move is fully in line with the Olympic Agenda 2020 and it’s New Norm.
Also Read: Human rights groups ask IOC to move Winter Olympics from China
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