Visitors take photos of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games-themed installations in Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Jan 20, 2022. (PHOTO/ XINHUA)

Years of meticulous preparations come to fruition ahead of sporting spectacular

Days before the start of the Winter Olympics, the Beijing 2022 organizing committee is confident of staging "streamlined, safe and splendid" Games.

"The world has high expectations on China, and we have made the best preparations. We have been preparing for the Beijing Winter Olympics for over six years, and the preparation work is all set now. We are waiting for the start of the grand showpiece," said Beijing 2022 spokesperson Zhao Weidong during a media conference at the Games' Main Media Center on Tuesday, the first day of the Lunar New Year.

"The Chinese people like to welcome best friends and family to their homes during the Spring Festival, and today we welcome our dearest friends from around the world to the Beijing Winter Olympics. We are keeping our promise to share our precious gifts-the Beijing Winter Olympics-to the world."

The Beijing Winter Olympics will kick off on Friday, while the Paralympics will begin on March 4. The action will take place in three competition zones-downtown Beijing, its northwest Yanqing district and co-host city Zhangjiakou in Hebei province

The Beijing Winter Olympics will kick off on Friday, while the Paralympics will begin on March 4. The action will take place in three competition zones-downtown Beijing, its northwest Yanqing district and co-host city Zhangjiakou in Hebei province.

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A total of 109 events covering 15 disciplines across seven sports are included in the Winter Olympics; the Paralympic Winter Games feature 78 events comprising six sports.

Beijing 2022 will use a total of 39 venues, including 12 where the sporting action will take place. Each of the three competition zones features its own athlete village.

"Looking back at the 2008 Games, Beijing hosted a truly exceptional Summer Olympics, and 14 years later we are about to embrace a streamlined, safe and splendid Olympic Winter Games," Zhao said.

"Given the extra pressure that comes with the COVID-19 pandemic, our gathering here at the Beijing Winter Olympics is especially precious and warm. Together for a shared future. This is the invitation from China, the promise of China and also the world's expectation for the future.

"We have overcome many difficulties and made huge efforts to ensure the smooth operation of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Since the day Beijing won the bid in 2015, we have been waiting for the opening day of the Games. All our venues and related infrastructures are ready to welcome the athletes from across the globe."

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With the Winter Olympics starting during Spring Festival, the Beijing 2022 organizing committee has prepared plenty of festive activities and traditional Chinese cuisine at the venues, the Olympic Village and the Main Media Center for athletes, coaches and media from across the world to enjoy.

"We have prepared a lot of Spring Festival-related cultural exhibitions and activities for the athletes. We want the athletes from across the globe to feel our passion and friendship. So, before the intense competition starts, athletes can relieve the pressure a little through these activities," said Yang Yang, China's first-ever Winter Olympics gold medalist and chair of Beijing 2022's athletes' commission, at Tuesday's media conference.

"We have been focusing on hosting an athlete-centered Winter Olympics. I hope all the athletes can show the best of themselves and fulfill their dreams at Beijing 2022. As the organizers, we will try our best to provide them with the best possible services and to make Beijing 2022 one of the most memorable experiences of their careers."

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