Chongli will host several outdoor events during the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. (Photo : Reuters)
An evaluation team from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has begun its inspection of Beijing’s bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics, China Radio International reported on Wednesday.
Headed by IOC Committee Chief Alexander Zhukov, the IOC evaluation commission started their tour at the Beijing National Stadium, also known as the "Bird's Nest."
One of five remaining venues built for the 2008 Olympics, the Bird's Nest has been proposed as the venues for the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2022 winter games.
On top of the tour, the 19-member commission has also been presented with a detailed plan for both the Games and post-Games activities.
Zhukov, who is also Russia's Deputy Prime Minister, said that Beijing is one of two candidate cities who will enjoy the benefits provided by the Olympic Agenda 2020 roadmap implemented by the IOC in October the previous year.
"The unanimous approval of the Olympic Agenda 2020 last December has resulted in many important reforms, including an entirely new approach through the process of selecting procedures," said Zhukov.
"[Beijing] has the privilege of being at the very forefront of this new era."
Zhukov also revealed that the IOC is willing to offer financial assistance to the winning bid for 2022.
"It is important to know that the IOC will assist with operational costs. We will help with 880 million U.S. dollars to the 2022 host city," he said.
Zhang Jiandong, vice president of the Beijing Olympic Games bid committee, said to reporters that they have made the bid with the IOC's recent reforms in mind.
"We've clearly stated that we follow the three concepts of hosting an athlete-centered, sustainable-development and economic Olympics. We've used them to guide our bidding and future preparations," Zhang said. "The three concepts are highly consistent with the reform direction of Olympic Agenda 2020."
The evaluation commission is also scheduled to visit Yangqing district in northwestern Beijing, where the alpine skiing and sliding venues have been proposed, and the city of Zhangjiakou within the week.
Beijing is bidding against the city of Almaty in Kazakhstan.
The IOC will announce the host city on July 31.
