Key issues as Beijing marks 100 days until the Winter Olympics

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The Chinese capital will become the first city to host the Summer and Winter Olympics when Beijing 2022 begins in 100 days in a “closed circuit” and without international spectators, as China maintains those that are among the COVID-19 protocols. strictest in the world.

Despite the challenges, there has been little doubt that the Winter Games will take place on schedule, in contrast to the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games, which were delayed a year and held last July and August. in places that were largely devoid of fans due to the pandemic.

WHEN ARE THE WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES?

The Beijing Games will be held from February 4 to 20, and the Paralympic Games from March 4 to 13. Almost 2,900 athletes will participate in 15 disciplines in seven sports. Up to 736 Paralympic athletes will compete in a total of 78 medal events.

WILL THE SPECTATORS BE IN THE PLACES?

Foreign spectators will not be allowed at the Games, but there will be local spectators. Organizers have yet to say how tickets will be sold or if venues will operate at full capacity.

WHAT ARE COVID-19 PROTOCOLS?

All athletes and related personnel will be required to remain in a “closed loop” that includes venues and dedicated transportation facilities.

Athletes and others who are not fully vaccinated will need to undergo a 21-day quarantine upon arrival in China, and all participants will be screened daily for COVID-19.

As most of the international flights to China have been canceled, special flights will be arranged from central cities and exclusively for the participants of the Games.

During the Tokyo Games, which operated within a more porous bubble, organizers reported 430 positive cases, although only 29 were among athletes and 25 among media.

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WILL THERE BE PROTESTS OR BOYCOTTS?

Human rights groups and some politicians have called for a boycott of the games in protest of China’s human rights record. While no country has said its athletes will boycott, European, British and American lawmakers have voted for their diplomats to do so.

When Beijing hosted the 2008 Summer Games, China set up three “protest parks” for protesters to emphasize their points, though they had to apply for permits and none were granted. No such zones have been announced this time.

WHICH ARE LIKELY TO BE AMONG THE SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS?

Beijing will see the Olympic debut of several new events including women’s monobloc, mixed team relay events in short track speed skating and snowboard cross.

The 2022 Games will also see the return of the players of the National Hockey League of North America, which has scheduled a break that will allow the participation of its stars.

WHERE EXACTLY WILL THE GAMES BE HELD?

Some events will take place in the same venues that hosted the 2008 games, including Bird’s Nest Stadium, which will again host the opening and closing ceremonies, and the Water Cube, which has been converted from a swimming pool into a curling field. .

The downhill skiing and downhill skiing events (bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton) will take place in Yanqing, which is located within Beijing Township on the mountainous northwestern outskirts near a section of the Great Wall.

Zhangjiakou, northwest of Beijing in Hebei province, will host cross-country skiing, ski jumping, biathlon, snowboarding and freestyle skiing. Zhangjiakou is almost 200 km from the center of Beijing and is connected by a high-speed train that takes about an hour.

Reference-torontosun.com

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