Get set for a sporting extravaganza
Beijing 2022 will take Winter Olympics to new heights, with world leaders praising the preparations
Beijing 2022 will present the largest number of events and gold medals in the history of the Winter Olympics, drawing nearly 3,000 athletes from approximately 90 countries and regions and support from the world in general.
Some countries, including Saudi Arabia and Vietnam, have sent delegations to attend the Winter Olympics for the first time.
Saudi Arabia has become the first ever Gulf country to participate in the Winter Olympic Games, with skier Fayik Abdi representing the Arab nation in Alpine skiing races in Beijing.
A team of six bobsleigh athletes will be the first Vietnamese to compete at a Winter Olympics event, Vietnam News reported.
A number of state leaders are expected to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Games in Beijing. Russian President Vladimir Putin and leaders of five Central Asian nations will be among those witnessing the ceremony in person. Russia is sending an Olympic delegation of 461 people, including 212 athletes.
Putin said on Jan 25 that Russia and China share a joint stance against the politicization of sport and demonstrative boycotts by some Western countries, and that they support Olympic values.
Argentine President Alberto Fernandez will also join the opening ceremony and visit China from Feb 4 to 6, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said. “We believe that this visit will open a new chapter in China-Argentina comprehensive strategic partnership,” he said on Jan 26.
Maldives’ Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid expressed his wish for Beijing 2022 to be a great success. Shahid, as the president of the United Nations General Assembly, will join UN chief Antonio Guterres at the opening ceremony.
The prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, who is himself a sportsman, is also expected to visit Beijing during the Games.
“The visit is demonstrative of the fact that Pakistan stands with China, at a time when certain countries are trying to politicize the Beijing Olympics,” said Mustafa Hyder Sayed, executive director of the Pakistan-China Institute.
Pakistan’s top skier Muhammad Karim is all set to represent his country at the Games in Beijing.
Salman Bashir, former foreign secretary of Pakistan, said people in his country admire the excellent preparations made by China.
“Besides being a spectacular sporting event, the Olympics will showcase the splendid achievements of the Chinese people in all domains and their exceptional skills in organizing worldclass events with great imagination, style and finesse,” he said.
“This was also demonstrated at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which were witnessed by over a hundred heads of state and government.”
Thailand’s former deputy prime minister Korn Dabbaransi also sent his best wishes for the significant world event. Even though Thailand is a country with no snow and icy land, “for the sake of Olympic spirit and friendship with our friends from all around the world”, the nation is sending some athletes to compete in the Games, said Korn, who is president of the Thai-Chinese Friendship Association.
On Jan 24, global political party leaders hailed China for delivering on its pledges in holding the 2022 Winter Olympics, saying it demonstrated the nation’s responsibility as a major country.
At a virtual consultation conference held by the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the global party leaders offered their best wishes for complete success of the upcoming event.
Ananda Pokharel, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Nepal, lauded China for honoring its commitment to deliver Olympic Games with a “green, inclusive, open and clean” approach.
Equipped with high technology, the Olympic venues are powered by 100 percent green energy, which fully embodies the green concept that China proposed, he noted.
Siew Fook Chan, a member of Malaysia’s People’s Justice Party and president of the Malaysia-China Twin Park Trading and Investment Association, said China has done very well in pandemic prevention and control, which has increased the sense of safety of athletes and other participants in the Games.
He added that sports provide a good way for mutual learning and exchanges among different civilizations.
Leaders of political parties at the meeting also voiced their opposition to politicizing the Games to demonize China for geopolitical reasons.
The attempts in this regard of a handful of countries run counter to the Olympic spirit and do not represent the majority of the international community, they said.
Mushahid Hussain Syed, chairman of the Senate Defence Committee of Pakistan and Pakistan-China Institute recalled that he was at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and was impressed by the “organization, discipline and effectiveness” shown by China’s government and people.
He said he believes that superb and efficient organization would also be demonstrated in the Winter Games.
“The Games bring people together for a common purpose, and it is an excellent demonstration of the Olympic spirit,” he said, adding that the Olympics are an important platform for promoting friendship and solidarity.
Arif Khan, a skier from conflict-ridden Kashmir, is the sole qualifier from India for the Beijing Winter Olympics. The 31-year-old will compete in the Slalom (alpine skiing) event.
South Korea announced on Jan 25 that it will have 63 athletes to compete in six sports during the Beijing Games.
In the Middle East, Israel’s delegation to the Winter Olympics in Beijing will consist of six athletes, the Times of Israel reported.
From Lebanon, three athletes have been qualified to compete in the Winter Games. Manon Ouaiss is the only female athlete representing the country. Turkey will be sending a sevenmember athlete team to the Beijing event.
Ireland confirmed on Jan 24 the selection of a team of six athletes that will represent the country for the Beijing Winter Olympics, the Irish Times reported. Team Ukraine will include several dozen athletes.