China is looking for a new breed of winter sports icons. (Photo : Reuters)
Beijing officials revealed that, if successful in its bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, the government will construct a top-notch ski ranch as one of the event facilities. The ranch will go with the 11 stadiums built in 2008 for the summer games.
Deputy Mayor Zhang Jiandong said: "We are busy preparing to receive the assessment mission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in March."
Zhang added that the Chinese Bidding Committee must be prepared for the IOC visit. The IOC will conduct inspection of the facilities and the stadiums and make necessary suggestions.
The Beijing committee considers thrift as a core concept in construction and thus keep the expenses within budget but still excellent as per IOC standards. Several measures are being considered for this endeavor, including investment and sponsorship by non-government groups in the construction of new stadiums and facilities.
Zhang said that the committee is using advanced technology in trying to connect the three Olympic Villages in Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou.
Director of Administration of Sports Li Yingchuan said that "the ski ranch to be built in Yanqing will have a drop of 800 meters in a length of 3000 meters."
He added: "In the long-term, it is expected to attract more than 300 million winter sports lovers in North China."
Simultaneously, reports said that one high-speed railway and two highways are under construction to link the zones, thus creating a convenient transportation to and from the games.
Li said that "winter sports will no longer be exclusive to professionals, but will become part of people's daily life or even be introduced into the curriculums of primary and middle schools."
The Beijing committee stated that Olympics aside, it is important to make the facilities available to the masses for recreation and physical fitness.
