Background
The People's Republic of China submitted a bid to host the XXIV Olympic Winter Games, scheduled for 2022. Beijing had previously hosted the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, making it a candidate for the distinction of being the first city to host both Summer and Winter editions of the modern Olympic Games.
Bid Submission and Committee
- Bid Committee: The Beijing 2022 Organising Committee was formed under the leadership of the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) and the Beijing Municipal Government. Key figures included Liu Bin (vice president of the COC) and Lin Zhongqing (vice mayor of Beijing).
- Official Submission: The bid was formally submitted to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in September 2013, alongside competing bids from Almaty (Kazakhstan) and the joint proposal of Oslo–Lillehammer (Norway).
Evaluation Process
- Technical Evaluation: In 2014, the IOC Evaluation Commission visited Beijing and assessed criteria such as infrastructure, venues, transportation, environmental sustainability, and legacy planning. The commission highlighted Beijing’s existing venues from the 2008 Games, newly planned snow venues in Yanqing and Zhangjiakou districts, and extensive transportation upgrades (high‑speed rail, expressways, and a new railway station).
- Scorecard: The bid received high marks in categories of infrastructure and experience, while concerns were noted regarding environmental impact and the distance between the city center and the snow venues (approximately 180 km).
Selection
- Voting: On 31 July 2015, during the 128th IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the final vote took place.
- Result: Beijing was elected host city with 53 votes, defeating Almaty, which received 44 votes. The joint Norwegian bid was eliminated in the first round of voting.
Significance
- Historical Milestone: Beijing became the first city to host both the Summer (2008) and Winter (2022) Olympic Games.
- Strategic Goals: The bid emphasized the development of winter sports in China, aligning with the national “Winter Sports Development Plan” aiming to increase participation and improve competitive performance.
Post‑Bid Developments
- Infrastructure: Construction of new venues, notably the National Alpine Ski Centre in Yanqing and the National Sliding Centre in Zhangjiakou, proceeded alongside upgrades to the existing “Bird’s Nest” stadium and “Water Cube” (converted to the “Ice Cube”).
- Legacy Plans: Post‑Games usage included conversion of facilities for public sport, tourism, and international competition, as outlined in Beijing’s legacy documents submitted to the IOC.
References
- International Olympic Committee, “Beijing 2022 – Host City Election” (Official Report, 2015).
- Beijing 2022 Organising Committee, “Bid Book” (2013).
- IOC Evaluation Commission Report, “Beijing 2022 Candidate City” (2014).
All information presented is drawn from publicly available, verifiable sources.
