Beijing bid team puts strong case for 2022 Games

Delegation of China at the briefing for International Olympic Committee (IOC) members.[Photo/Agencies]

"It (Beijing) would be the safest decision for the International Olypic Committee (IOC) to choose Beijing, which is the most reliable partner for all stakeholders," mayor Wang Anshun told the IOC members.

Illustrating the legacy of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Wang told the IOC members that the city of Beijing has fully embraced the Olympic spirit and "experience it every day".

"With strong public support, government guarantee, sound natural conditions, comprehensive experience in Games organization and your guidance, we are confident that all potential risks could be effectively managed," he added.

According to the mayor, Beijing has established an Olympic City Development Association and a fund after the 2008 Games. The average use of the 2008 venues, however, exceeds 85 percent annually.

Wang also emphasized that in the past few years, more than half of Beijing's population participated in sports and 2.6 million registered volunteers played active roles to enhance city development as well as quality of people's lives.

As to the smog issue, one of the major concerns from the media, mayor Wang explained that Beijing has invested 130 billion US dollars in a five-year comprehensive clean air action plan since 2013.

"It would be a beautiful natural environment with blue sky that greets the visitors in Beijing by 2022.

"We are confident about that," he said.

China's central and local governments in Beijing and Zhangjiakou have included Beijing 2022 in the National Strategy of Integrated and Coordinated Development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region (National Strategy), and the long-term regional development plans, thereby facilitating the bidding and preparation for the Olympic Winter Games, the improvement of urban ecological environments and the close integration of economic development and social advancement.

Moreover, Beijing stresses an economical Games. The Bid Committee has adhered to the principles of being scientific, meticulous, prudent and feasible in the budgeting for the Games. Out of the 12 competition and non-competition venues in Beijing, 11 are existing venues inherited from the Beijing 2008 Olympics.