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Beijing is ramping up its bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics with a series of international sports competitions and promotional events, seeking to stir public support and cement its status as the front-runner to hold the Games.
The freestyle skiing World Cup event in Beijing's Bird's Nest stadium on the weekend was the first of six winter sports competitions in the capital city and Shanghai. Skating events make up most of the remainder.
Another six activities are being held to rev up interest in the Olympic bid among the public, including a mass participation event on World Skiing Day in January, said Zhao Yinggang, the sports ministry's head of winter sports.
"An important part of the bidding process is to seize the opportunity to promote the development of winter sports in China and spread their popularity," Zhao said.
Beijing, which hosted the 2008 Olympics, is seeking to become the first city to host both the summer and winter games.
Indoor events will be held within the city, while skiing and other outdoor sports will be based in suburban Yanqing and in Zhangjikou in neighboring Hebei province.
Originally considered a long shot, Beijing is now in a two-city race with Almaty, Kazakhstan, to host the Games following the withdrawal of a number of potential bidders.
