OLYMPICS-2022/BEIJING Beijing confident after IOC presentation

Record ID: 150671

  • Title: OLYMPICS-2022/BEIJING Beijing confident after IOC presentation
  • Date: 9th June 2015
  • Summary: LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND (JUNE 9) (REUTERS) LAUSANNE OLYMPIC MUSEUM WITH CHINESE STUDENTS IN FRONT OF THE MAIN ENTRANCE
  • Embargoed: 24th June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Switzerland
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVABGFEMRYWL7TVOUELFT6V4REXV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The Beijing team bidding for the 2022 winter Olympics have dismissed concerns over snow conditions and air quality after presenting their case to the IOC.
    Beijing and rival city Almaty in Kazakhstan met IOC delegates in Lausanne, Switzerland on Tuesday (June 9).
    The behind-closed-doors presentations will help the IOC decide which city to award the games too at their 128th session in Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia, next month.
    Although Beijing is favourite to follow its 2008 summer Olympics with the winter version, it does have some question marks over its suitability, including snow quality and air pollution.
    Speaking to journalists after the presentation, Zhang Li, the Director of the Planning and Technology Department of the Beijing 2022 Bid Committee, said snow conditions would not be a problem.
    "In addition to natural snow fall, we have a very comprehensive plan to ensure the quality and quantity of snow," he said. "And this plan is based on a combination of appropriate temperature, abundant water supply and reliable existing snow-making facilities.
    "And this plan has been approved by the IFs (International Federations), and we have also reported to IOC on this and we are closely working with the IOC to improve the details of this plan."
    And the Mayor of Beijing and the President of bid committee, Wang Anshun, was equally upbeat about air quality, both in Beijing itself and in Zhangjiakou, the proposed site of the alpine sports.
    "Air quality in Yanqing and Zhangjiakou is well-suited to outdoor sports, and nationwide air quality there is considered good, you can find relevant numerical data online," he said. "Again, going forward, we will be putting in place a whole series of targeted measures to continue to improve air quality and again we are entirely confident that we will meet all requirements for the Games, we have exchanged opinions and information with the IOC, and they have indicated their acceptance."
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