Zhu Chengyi, former Vice Director of the Winter Sports Management Center of the SGAS (WEI YAO)
In fact, the concept of sustainability and cost-efficiency has been included in the Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC's latest reform package, which was approved last year and will serve as a roadmap for future Olympics.
Zhou Xing, a financial official with the Beijing bid committee, said that the budgeting for the 2022 Games will be scientific, prudent, practical and economical.
The budget for the organizing committee is projected to be $1.56 billion, and a further $1.51 billion will be used on infrastructure renovation.
The key theme of sustainability that played a crucial role in the Olympic Agenda 2020 can also be found in Beijing 2022's blueprint for sustainable development through boosting the economic development of the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Sport, Culture and Tourism Belt.
Besides, modern, quick and efficient transportation is another key element of the Beijing 2022 bid.
As an integral part of the government's Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Intercity Rail Master Plan, the construction of the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed rail link has already begun and will be fully operational by early 2019. The travel time from Beijing to Zhangjiakou will be just 50 minutes, according to Beijing's bidding profile.
As for natural conditions, the bid committee assured the IOC members that there will be enough snow and low temperatures for the Winter Games.
In Beijing's Yanqing County, the temperatures of the designated competition area, located 1,300 meters above sea level, are situated on average between -9 Celsius degrees and -1.1 Celsius degrees, with a stable freezing period from mid-November to the end of March, 140 days on average. In the area, the snow cover reaches a depth of 20.2 cm on average and can go as high as 65 cm.
The temperatures of the designated competition area in Zhangjiakou, located 1,248 meters above sea level, are situated on average between -15.2 Celsius degrees and -9.3 Celsius degrees, with a stable freezing period from the end of October to the beginning of April, 165 days on average. In the area, the snow cover reaches a depth of 21 cm on average and can reach as high as 72 cm.
"Zhangjiakou is already known as a popular ski tourism destination among local citizens, with five ski resorts totaling more than 100 ski tracks successfully operating in the area," Zhu said. "These resorts have become the training bases for ski athletes from China and other Asian countries as well as a popular recreational destination for ski enthusiasts."
Air pollution is another concern for Beijing's bid. Mayor Wang promised that if the bid succeeds, a series of tough measures taken previously by environmental authorities would bring an "Olympic blue" sky in time for the Games.
He explained that Beijing has started a five-year plan to clean the air since 2013. With a total investment of $130 billion in five years, Beijing expects to cut the density of PM2.5, airborne particles smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter, by 20 percent in 2017.
"We are confident that we can have fresh air in Beijing, not only by significantly improving the air quality, but also by paving a new, healthier and greener path for the city and the surrounding region's development for years to come," Wang said.
"A successful bid will surely help speed up the cities' pace in easing pollution, and the two-city bid will help the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region better coordinate their efforts to fight pollution," said Wang Hui, Vice General Secretary of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games Bid Committee.
Additionally, the enormous enthusiasm and expectations of the Chinese people will be also a key factor in the IOC vote. "Success will not be possible without people's support and social stability," said Wu Jingmi, General Secretary of the Beijing Olympic City Development Association.
A survey by the Beijing bid committee shows that more than 90 percent of the people in China questioned hold supporting attitudes to hosting the Winter Games.
"Mass support by the Chinese people is one of the biggest advantages owned by Beijing," Wu said.
"With strong public support, a government guarantee, sound natural conditions, comprehensive experience in Games organization and your guidance, we are confident that all potential risks could be effectively managed," Mayor Wang told the IOC members on June 9.
