Beijing Officially Reacts to 2022 Olympic Winter Games Bid Win

The Beijing 2022 Committee issued an official statement in celebration of Beijing's selection as the host of the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games:

“We are honoured and humbled by the International Olympic Committee’s decision to award Beijing the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” Beijing’s bid committee said in a statement. “It is with an incredible sense of excitement that we express our thanks to the IOC and the wider Olympic Movement. Just as with the Beijing 2008 Summer Games, the Olympic Family has put its faith in Beijing again to deliver the athlete-centred, sustainable and economical Games we have promised.

“This will be a memorable event at the foot of the Great Wall for the whole Olympic Family, the athletes and the spectators that will further enhance the tremendous potential to grow winter sports in our country, in Asia and around the world. We would like to congratulate Almaty 2022 for their campaign. We wish to thank once again all the Chinese people and people around the world who have supported Beijing 2022 in this extraordinary bid journey.”

Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun told China Daily, "I am so excited. First I want to say I am happy, because Beijing, with Zhangjiakou, succeeded in its bid to hold the 2022 Winter Olympics Games. Second I have to say thank you. Thanks to all Chinese people, especially Beijing residents, who provided strong support for our bid. The third thing is a promise. We promise what we said as the bid committee visited Beijing. The fourth thing is to give our respect to our friend, Almaty, which contributed to the Olympics and its spirit. Finally, I welcome people all over the world to get together in Beijing in 2022, eating dumplings, watching the games and enjoying the Spring Festival."

During its final presentation, China's President Xi Jinping made a video statement on the city's behalf: ""To present a fantastic, extraordinary and excellent Winter Olympics is the aspiration of over 1.3 billion Chinese people. We will fulfill all our commitments and witness, together with the people of all other countries and the IOC, the advent of a new phase in the development of the Olympic winter sports and in the spread of the Olympic spirit."

Photo: China Daily/Agencies