Diplomats ready to enjoy a safe Games

Representatives of foreign embassies impressed with Beijing's preparations

Impressed by Beijing's smooth preparation for the 2022 Winter Olympics, diplomats and representatives from foreign embassies have pinned high hopes on witnessing a safe and sustainable Games next year.

About nine months out from next year's Beijing Winter Olympics, interest from around the world in the preparatory progress, COVID-19 countermeasures and operational plans of the Games are surging high as evidenced by the attendance of 120 ambassadors, counselors and officials from over 70 countries at the Beijing 2022 organizing committee's first diplomatic briefing on Friday.

Zhang Jiandong, an executive vice-president of Beijing 2022, briefed attendees on a wide range of Games-related topics, such as venue readiness, competition organization and participant services, before the organizing committee introduced hospitality arrangements for international dignitaries, including accommodation, transport and ticketing services for visiting state leaders, sports ministers and other government officials.

Beijing 2022 stays open to suggestions from all stakeholders and is committed to working closely with the international community, especially on pandemic-control protocols, to deliver a streamlined, safe and splendid Games next year, said Zhang, also a vice-mayor of Beijing.

Beijing 2022 has completed all the 12 competition venues, across three zones in downtown Beijing, its northwest Yanqing district and co-host Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, laying a solid foundation for the Winter Olympics to run from Feb 4 to 20.

Non-competition facilities, such as the Olympic Village and Main Media Center, will be finished in the second half of this year, with organizers also busy recruiting and training volunteers, promoting grassroots winter sports participation and finalizing post-Games venue operational plans.

As part of an adapted testing program, revised by the International Olympic Committee and Beijing 2022 to cater to the pandemic situation, a series of snow and ice sports competitions, allowing only Chinese athletes, were operated at most of the venues in February and April.

Organizers will now improve on the COVID-19 control and prevention measures tested domestically to be ready for another string of 10 test events, which will open to foreign athletes and technical delegates, from October to December.

Having witnessed the progress despite the pandemic challenge, foreign diplomats have set their expectations high on enjoying a safe and excellent winter sports gala next year.

"As a sport-loving nation, the Netherlands are very much looking forward to the Beijing Games in 2022 and are very impressed with the preparations the organizing committee has undertaken so far," Wim Geerts, Dutch ambassador to China, said after the briefing.

Citing China's effective pandemic-containing efforts, Geerts said he feels safe to live and work in Beijing and he rests assured that Beijing 2022 organizers will "do their utmost to make sure it will be a safe Olympics for everyone".

Bernardino Regazzoni, Swiss ambassador to China, echoed the sentiment, looking forward to the release of Beijing 2022's playbook on the policies regarding foreign entries and pandemic prevention, which organizers said will be unveiled after the delayed Tokyo Summer Games.

"Switzerland is a winter sports nation. Of course we are happy to share our experience but you are already progressing very fast in this field," Regazzoni said of China's potential in winter sports development.

"It is a global issue where we are willing to share further experiences with you."