OLYMPICS-2022/BEIJING-PRESENTATION REAX Beijing presents bid for 2022 Winter Olympics, commits to help further develop Olympics

Record ID: 145537

  • Title: OLYMPICS-2022/BEIJING-PRESENTATION REAX Beijing presents bid for 2022 Winter Olympics, commits to help further develop Olympics
  • Date: 31st July 2015
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER CHINESE BASKETBALL PLAYER, YAO MING SAYING: "If we won I think first of all we have to get ourselves reset our clock about everything, about 2022. We know that it's not an easy one but we have full confidence to deliver every expectation and promise we made before."
  • Embargoed: 15th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Malaysia
  • Country: Malaysia
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA155WON2W1SW2YO60RFFAN3S62
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Beijing 2022 winter Olympics bid officials highlighted the nation's ability to deliver on promises as the Chinese capital, the frontrunner in the race, made its final pitch to the International Olympic Committee on Friday (July 31).
    Beijing, seeking to become the first city to be awarded both summer and winter Olympics, is up against the Kazakh city of Almaty, which also presented its plans to the 85 voting IOC members in Malaysia.
    "No matter which country wins we should congratulate them. I think we've done our best," said Chinese vice Premier Liu Yandong, who led the delegation after the presentation.
    China presented itself as a safe choice with its strong financial power even though it is a developing nation.
    "China has been developing over the past few years and I believe with the development of our country we can contribute and play a greater part in the Olympics world. And we can help other developing countries," Liu said.
    Beijing officials said picking their plan would ensure a successful Olympics while also tapping into a market of 300 million Chinese with a growing appetite for winter sports.
    Former NBA player and ambassador of the bid committee Yao Ming said if China won the country would fulfil it promises.
    "If we won I think first of all we have to get ourselves reset our clock about everything, about 2022. We know that it's not an easy one but we have full confidence to deliver every expectation and promise we made before," Yao told reporters.
    China is banking on its extensive Olympic experience from the 2008 summer Games, while also using many of the same venues for the winter Games.
    Among them is the iconic Bird's Nest stadium and the Water Cube as well as media and broadcasting centres within Beijing's Olympic park.
    The plan also includes the mountain zones of Yanqing and Zhangjiakou, 90 km. and 160 km. away from Beijing respectively though the IOC has highlighted the minimal annual snowfall and the need to rely almost entirely on artificial snow.
    China's Sports Minister Liu Peng played down these concerns, saying ski resorts have been operating in Zhangjiakou for two decades.
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