Seven years ago, China was putting the finishing touches on what was to become one of the most memorable Games ever. The 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing has left a far-reaching legacy to Beijing and China at large and the impetus given by the Games to the city's and broader China's development is still tangible.
Most importantly, the whole of China, including 10 million employees in areas as broad as venue design and construction, sports, marketing, hospitality, medical services, media operations, transport and many more, as well as 100,000 volunteers, could get the most unique experience that exists: delivering the biggest world sports event ever.
Add to this China's rich organizing experience in winter multi-sport events - such as two editions of the Asian Winter Games in 1996 and 2007 and one edition of the Winter Universiade in 2009, the 2015 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Shanghai, the FIS Snowboard Junior World Championships in Harbin, and the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship in Beijing among a multitude of smaller-scale events. China currently has 167 international technical officials registered by the Winter IFs, along with many more national technical officials.
Through this experience, China has developed and cultivated a pool of experts - including experts in specific areas as well as transversal specialists in matters such as sustainability, accessibility and many others.
On-going programs of the Beijing Olympic City Development Association (BODA) ensured that this pool of experts can be easily and efficiently put in action as of tomorrow to deliver another successful Olympic Games.
In addition to that, a number of sports officials from across China have been training at the Russian International Olympic University (RIOU) in order to gain specific expertise of organizing a Winter Olympics and Paralympics, from designing ice palaces and ski slopes to organizing ticket sales and relations with spectators, as well as legacy and post-Games usage of venues.
Wang Hui, head of Communications of the Beijing 2022 Bid Committee, said in a recent interview with Chinese media: "Take it from the example of the Beijing 2022 Bid Committee, where over 18% of the staff have international multi-sport winter event experience, over 20% have winter world championship experience, and 50% were part of the workforce for the 2008 Games.
"Having the opportunity to bring all these experts back for a common project and to the benefit of the Olympic Movement is not only and merely convenient. It is a major guarantee of a successful, risk-free delivery of the Games and a means to contribute to the sustainability of the Olympic Movement, by optimizing long-term legacies."
Picking up just three of the areas that are essential for the success of the Games: medical services, accommodation and marketing - Beijing ticks all the boxes in terms of experienced and enthusiastic professionals ready to be involved in the Games preparations.
Throughout the preparations for the 2008 Games, Beijing's already high-level and robust health-care resources and services were significantly improved by doctors, nurses, medical professionals and a large number of medical volunteers, who have experience in delivering Games and large-event medical services.
This human legacy of 2008 was put in practice again in Harbin for the Winter Universiade in 2009 and in Nanjing 2014 and is currently contributing to an exchange program between Beijing and Zhangjiakou, potential host of the 2022 Winter Games' snow events.@ Twenty-two first-class hospitals in Beijing and Zhangjiakou Zones will be designated as the 2022 hospitals, with more than 30,000 beds. These hospitals have all the relevant departments including sports injury, orthopedics, neurosurgery and rehabilitation. They also have long-experience in treating patients and injuries, particularly relating to winter sports.
In addition to that, the Beijing WADA-Accredited Anti-Doping Laboratory already has the most advanced technology, equipment and highly skilled and experienced staff. China has long experience in delivering doping control programs, and the China Anti-Doping Agency has extensive experience in working together, in a successful partnership with the IOC Medical Commission and with WADA.
In terms of accommodation, Beijing is one of the world's top destinations for tourism and business with world-class hotels and services, most of which were tried and tested during the 2008 Games and fully satisfy IOC requirements with the existing room supply.
In 2014, Beijing welcomed over 260 million tourists, while Zhangjiakou is an emerging winter tourist destination with fast growing hospitality and leisure industries. It has an increasing number of high-level business and tourist hotels with rapidly improving service standards, learning from Beijing's experience.
Finally, Beijing boasts an experienced team that was involved in the successful marketing programs of previous Games. They have a strong understanding of both the Chinese market and the marketing rules set by the IOC and IPC.
Based on past experience, Beijing 2022 can ensure that it will meet the revenue targets, secure the best returns for commercial partners, ensure full stadia with amazing atmosphere and ensure that all the IOC's and IPC's rules are fully respected, to deliver successful marketing programs for Beijing 2022.
"Our people are our biggest value and legacy. We are confident that with the passion and the experience of the Chinese people, Beijing can not only deliver a successful Olympic Winter Games, but also boost development of winter sports in China and across the world, and set up a new model of sustainable development for the mutual benefit of our country and the Olympic Movement," said Wang Hui.
