Beijing1.jpg (Photo : Wikimedia)
Chinese citizens and foreigners alike will be greeting the Year of the Sheep with grandeur as the capital city's government plans to set up the countdown celebrations with an additional twist: 2022 Winter Olympics theme.
After successfully hosting the 2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing is seeking another sporting prestige by becoming the location of the 2022 Winter Olympics. China's capital winning the bid will entail a new record for being the only city that is able to host both seasonal tournaments.
According to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development, the Near Year countdown will be held at Beijing's Olympic Park at the night of Dec. 31.
The countdown is expected to attract thousands of tourists. Officials also said that interest in winter sports has increased among Chinese youth following China's bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
"Sports-themed packages such as venue-exploring tours and sports merchandizing sales have contributed a lot to Beijing's tourism industry since the 2008 Olympics. The bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics will build upon the momentum to further boost the business," said Wang Yue, deputy director with the city's tourism commission.
Wang confirmed that several winter sport facilities will be built in the capital and surrounding areas in preparation for the likely win for the bid. To date, Beijing's remaining rival is Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The commission said that there are already 27 fully equipped skating and skiing resorts in and around Beijing which are receiving 2.5 million tourists every year.
Wang Hui, a spokeswoman for Beijing's bidding committee, said that the activities that will be showcased at the night of the countdown will excite Chinese more about the games, which in turn will boost the country's winter recreation industry.
"There is only one winter before the International Olympic Committee announces the 2022 host city next July, so this winter is our chance to demonstrate to the world how passionate Chinese people are about winter sports and relevant activities, as well as the winter sports resources in the city," said Wang.
