Delivering the need for speed

"But there are still a lot of improvements to make. We need to understand the way the systems work together and get everything coordinated into one package."

Feng Gang, one of four Chinese ice technicians on Messer's crew, added that changes to the indoor temperature and humidity when spectators are allowed entry will present additional challenges.

According to a provisional plan agreed by Beijing 2022, the International Olympic Committee and winter sports international federations, larger scale test events involving foreign athletes and team officials will be staged at a number of Beijing venues, including the oval, from September to December this year.

Built on the former site of the 2008 Beijing Summer Games' archery range, the oval features Asia's largest ice surface (12,000 square meters).

Beyond 2022, it will diversify to host the likes of figure skating, curling and hockey.

Messer expects his Chinese colleagues to carry on with operations up to international standards after he sees out his 2022 contract.

"We want to leave a legacy here," he said. "In some of the past Olympics, we haven't had a legacy. We've come into the building, we've done the Games, then left.

"This time there is a great legacy plan for this building. So we want to make sure that when we leave, there are trained personnel here that can carry on."