IOC EC arrives in Beijing for evaluation of 2022 Bid plans

Alexander Zhukov (C), chairman of the International Olympic Committee(IOC) Evaluation Commission, arrives at Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2015. (Xinhua/Gong Lei)

Members of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Evaluation Commission have arrived in Beijing for a 5-day inspection visit of the Candidate City for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Alexander Zhukov, Chairman of the IOC Evaluation Commission, was welcomed on Monday at the Beijing Capital International Airport by Liu Peng, Minister of General Administration of Sport of China and President of the Chinese Olympic Committee, and Wang Anshun, Mayor of Beijing and President of the Beijing 2022 Bid Committee.

The 19-member IOC Evaluation Commission will assess Beijing 2022's plans through dedicated visits to proposed venues and receiving in-depth briefings on the bid's vision to host athlete-centred, sustainable and economical Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The programme for the visit is developed in line with recent Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations, which include aims to reduce the costs associated with bidding and a comprehensive assessment of sustainability and legacy aspects.

"It is an honour to have the opportunity to present our vision for the Games to the IOC Evaluation Commission," said Wang Anshun.

"We are ready to demonstrate that Beijing is the right choice for the Olympic Movement to host the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games."

"We have developed a highly robust Games concept, founded on athlete-centred, sustainable and economical principles. For the Olympic Family, athletes and fans, Beijing 2022 would provide an unrivalled experience to enjoy the vibrancy of a major cosmopolitan city and winter sports scenery in the same day.

"For the Evaluation Commission members who recall Beijing from the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games, they will see the tremendous changes that the city has enjoyed as a result and catch a glimpse of the endless new opportunities that the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Games can bring."

The Chinese government has launched the "300 Million People Winter Sports Plan" in an effort to introduce more young people to winter sports and build a base of athletes for future Olympics.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said, "It (Beijing 2022's bid) will inspire over 300 million Chinese to participate in winter sports if we win, which will contribute greatly to the development of international Olympic cause."

The visit is preceded by a day of official meetings on Monday and will begin on Tuesday.

The Evaluation Commission will publish their evaluation report and distribute to every IOC member prior to the Host City election on July 31, 2015, which will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.