- Title: OLYMPICS-BEIJING/NEWSER China all set for Winter Olympics bid presentation
- Date: 30th July 2015
- Summary: FRAMED PHOTO WITH WORDS READING "BEIJING CANDIDATE CITY 2022 / NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 14th August 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Malaysia
- Country: Malaysia
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAQSLA4ZEK3D5IH4EIECZNO2I3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Members of China's 2022 Winter Olympics bid committee said on Thursday (July 30) that they are ready ready for their presentation ahead of the election that will decide the host.
In the last news briefing before the ceremony to be held on Friday (July 31), the mayor of Zhang Jia Kou, one of the host cities that China has proposed along with Beijing, said he will emphasize on the ecological environment his city can offer.
"We've done sufficient preparation for the presentation, the focus will be promoting the strength of Zhang Jia Kou, its ecological environment and our air is the best among the cities in northern Yangtze River," said Yu Weiping.
A clear frontrunner in the race, Beijing banks on its 2008 Olympic experience to convince the 100-plus IOC members in Kuala Lumpur.
They are meanwhile hoping China's rapid development can attract investors to the country.
"And our estimation is by 2025, the sports industry, the revenue of sports industry will be around 800 billion US dollars, so you can see the market's there," said Zhou Xing, the deputy director of finance and marketing development for the Beijing bid committee.
"This opportunity is not only for China, it is for the world. The world can take advantage of the rapid development of China and cooperate with us for the Winter Olympics," added spokeswoman Wang Hui.
State-of-the-art venues, including the iconic Bird's Nest stadium, will be used, easing any concerns about preparedness, with China's economic clout further boosting its chances.
Yet not all is working in Beijing's favour, including the fact that sliding and skiing events are to be staged in two mountain sites, one located 74 kilometres away and the other 180. China will also be counting on snow-making machines as it cannot guarantee sufficient snow.
Beijing, which hosted the 2008 summer Games, is looking to become the first city to be awarded both summer and winter editions of the world's biggest multi-sports event.
Victory for Beijing would also mean that Asia would host three consecutive Olympics after the 2018 winter Games in Pyeongchang in South Korea and Tokyo's 2020 summer Olympics. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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