Winter Games bid committee receives certification for venues

A top Chinese sports official said the committee running Beijing's bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games has received venue certifications from the seven relevant winter sports federations - including the International Biathlon Union, the International Ski Federation, the International Skating Union, and the International Ice Hockey Federation.

"We had received all the venue certifications from the seven International Federations by early December, which is a requirement in order to bid for the Winter Games," Ren Hongguo, head of China's Winter Sports Administration Center, said on Monday.

Beijing and Zhangjia-kou, Hubei province, have submitted a joint bid for the Games. Delegates from the federations had completed fact-finding visits by the end of November, visiting Beijing and suburban Yanqing county, and Zhangjiakou to inspect the sites where the Olympic and Paralympic competitions will be held if Beijing's bid is successful.

"During their field trip, the delegates provided useful advice to the Beijing 2022 Bid Committee, and we will ensure that advice is implemented," Ren said.

The International Olympic Committee will select the 2022 host city at the 128th IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 31. Beijing and Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan, are the only candidates.

The Chinese capital, which hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics, is rapidly emerging as the strong favorite because of its robust economy and proven record.

If Beijing succeeds, it will become the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Games, and Chinese officials are sparing no effort to persuade the IOC to give the city the green light.

In November, the mayor, Wang Anshun, said the bidding team has already swung into action by hiring a top US public relations company, and preparing a slick animation highlighting the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City.

Wang said the bid has the full backing of the Chinese government, which is a key IOC requirement, and most of the facilities are already in place, having been built for the 2008 Games.

"Beijing is inspired by the aspirations of the Olympic movement, and with your support, Beijing will rise to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. We will host Games that are secure, reliable and risk-free," he said.