Beijing 2022 Olympics off to a very strong start: IOC

IOC Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch (Center) attends a news conference on Oct 12, 2016. [Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn]

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission concluded its first visit in Beijing on Wednesday with praise for the future host's adherence to the vision presented during the candidature phase for hosting the Winter Olympics.

The coordination commission members took gondolas to the top snow sport venue cluster in Zhangjiakou after earlier visits to venues for Alpine and Nordic skiing in Yanqing. Their three-day visit began with a tour of the ice venues in Beijing.

The commission also visited Beijing 2022's new headquarters in a converted steel plant on the western edge of the city and held discussions with the organizing committee focused on five main topics: governance; sport; venues and infrastructure; commercial; and communications and engagement.

"We are pleased with what we have learned. Beijing 2022 is off to a fast start. Initial preparations are well on track," IOC Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch said at a closing news conference with Beijing 2022 Executive Vice President Zhang Jiandong.

In his closing comments, Vice-President Zhang said, "During the meetings and inspections, the Coordination Commission and Beijing 2022 held in-depth and effective discussions and reached consensus on a wide range of aspects, and further defined the directions and priorities for the Games preparation. We have achieved fruitful results."

In keeping with the guidance provided by the IOC's Olympic Agenda 2020, the Beijing 2022 Games concept is closely aligned with long-term development goals for Beijing and neighboring Hebei province. The Games, which will take advantage of a planned high-speed rail link between the city and the mountains, are designed to expand participation in winter sport and create a new "Sport, Culture and Tourism Belt" in northern China.

"Our site visits in Zhangjiakou and Yanqing confirmed that Beijing 2022 remains fully committed to the goal of developing world-class winter sports facilities. Their success will accelerate growing participation in winter sports among the 300 million people in this region and throughout China," Vice President Samaranch said.