The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games is having an immediate effect on China’s winter sports industry.
An International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission meeting in July was told how there are plans to get 300 million Chinese people involved in winter sports. There has also been an increase in events and facilities.
According to information published by the IOC, by the end of 2018 there were 742 ski resorts and 596 ice rinks throughout the country, with more facilities being built every year.
During the 2018-2019 snow sports season, there were 4,401 district level, municipal and national level winter sports events in China, with 8.15 million people taking part.
The Beijing 2022 Organising Committee said there has been an overall growth of the winter sports industry in China, citing a 16% year-on-year increase to $53.6 billion in 2018, up from $46.2 billion in 2017. To date, this has also led to the creation of 1.5 million jobs.
“Beijing 2022 is delivering on its vision to engage 300 million people in winter sports, and we can see real benefits resulting from the various actions that are being undertaken across the country,” said IOC Coordination Commission chair Juan Antonio Samaranch.
“We have heard about some impressive developments that exemplify the vision for winter sports in China in terms of mass participation, elite sport and tourism.
“This progress is very encouraging for the long-term future of winter sport, both in China and internationally.”
Test events
Preparations for the 2022 Winter Olympic test events continue to be on track. The programme has been finalised, with 19 Olympic test events and five Paralympic test events.
The first test event, the International Ski Federation (FIS) Alpine Skiing World Cup (Downhill & Super G), will take place from 15-16 February 2020.
Construction of sports venues remains on schedule for delivery before the test events. The Olympic Villages in Beijing, Zhangjiakou and Yanqing and the medals plazas will be delivered in spring/summer 2021.
Regarding the long-term infrastructure projects that will benefit the region, the tracks have been laid for the 174km high-speed railway between Beijing and Zhangjiakou, while the 171km Jingli Expressway, which will connect Games sites, is also 87% complete.
When are the 2022 Winter Olympics?
The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games will take place from 4-20 February 2022 and the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics will be held from 4-13 March 2022.
Main image: pxhere.com
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