Winter Olympics more than a Snow White tale

Zhangjiakou city. [Photo/Xinhua]

It's stunning to see such a high public support in a country of over 1.3 billion people. The sincerity, ardor and expectation for the Olympics from Chinese people have already impressed the IOC.

China has pledged to increase participation in winter sports and establish a full year-round sports tradition. If Beijing wins the bid, it will offer the Olympic Movement a huge opportunity to grow winter sports in one of the world's largest markets, further spreading the Olympic values among more than 300 million local residents and beyond.

Moreover, Beijing's quick and efficient transportation, world-class hotels, cosmopolitan cuisine and spectacular sightseeing will provide for a truly joyful Games experience upon pure ice and snow where spectators would be able to enjoy winter sports scenery and the drive of a modern cosmopolitan city all in one day, with stunning views of the Great Wall providing for a unique setting for snow competitions.

Back to the snow concerns, experts believe that the climate conditions in Zhangjiakou's Chongli county, where cross country, freestyle and other skiing events would be held if Beijing wins the bid, won't be a concern.

All the seven International Federations for winter sports confirmed that Beijing and Chongli's conditions were Okay for the Winter Olympics following their fact-finding visits to the proposed venue sites last winter.

In case of lack of natural snow, both Yanqing and Chongli have abundant supply of water for snow-making and ideal geological and weather conditions.