Beijing, 19 Jan (Xinhua) -- At an online press conference held by the International Olympic Committee on the evening of 19 January, Ioannis Exacos, CEO of the Olympic Broadcasting Service Company, which has arrived in Beijing, said that the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics is completely different from the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics, but it is equally touching and impressive, "I believe that you have no reason to miss this opening ceremony."
On October 28, 2021, the night view of the "Bird's Nest" of the National Stadium, which was the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Chenlin
As an organization that provides public signals for Olympic broadcasting and television to Olympic rights holders around the world, the importance of Olympic broadcasting services is self-evident. In response to a question from a Xinhua reporter, Exacus said he had watched the rehearsal for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, "but I will not tell you anything specific, because I do not want to spoil your viewing experience [on the day of the opening ceremony].
"What I can tell you is that this opening ceremony will be as impressive as the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games, and we all know that the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games is the iconic opening ceremony in the history of the Olympic Games, while the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics will be completely different, but it will be equally touching and impressive, and it reflects our current era." Exacos said.
The picture above shows the "Bird's Nest" (photo by Yang Lei, Xinhua News Agency) under the illumination of the main venue of the Beijing Olympic Games on August 8, 2008, and the picture below shows students participating in the Olympic Winter Camp for Primary and Secondary School Students in Beijing playing on the ice rink of the "Bird's Nest" on January 2, 2020 (photo by Ju Huanzong, Xinhua News Agency).
Before and after the 2008 Olympic Games, Exacus worked in Beijing for three years, and at that time, it was precisely because of the wisdom and strength of the broadcasting team that it not only attracted 4.6 billion people around the world to watch the 2008 Olympic Games, but also gave the world a new and in-depth understanding of Beijing and China.
Not long ago, the Beijing Winter Olympic Organizing Committee announced that Zhang Yimou, who had directed the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games, once again shouldered the heavy burden and became the general director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Exacos said: "For me personally, working with Zhang Yimou was a highlight of my career in 2008. Being able to work with Zhang Yimou again will undoubtedly become the second highlight of my (career), which is something that cannot be sought. Director Zhang Yimou's vision of visual presentation makes our broadcasters and TV workers very willing to work with him because he knows very well the visual presentation we make to an international audience. I'm sure you don't have any reason to miss this opening ceremony. ”
On January 10, the main media center hall of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Photo by Xu Zijian, Xinhua News Agency
It is understood that at present, more than 2,000 broadcasters and media reporters have come to Beijing. Exacos said that the signal connection from the venues to the International Broadcasting Center has been set up, and the Winter Olympic venues have also amazed him. "It's not just at the design level, but also on the technical level, and I have to say that these venues are the best in the winter Olympics."
Lucia MontanaRera, head of media operations at the International Olympic Committee, also said that she recently followed the International News Agency to the Winter Olympic venues for a survey, "The Winter Olympic venues are really amazing, and the media facilities are also very good."
In order to better present the Beijing Winter Olympics to the world, the Olympic broadcast service company has opened many firsts: the Beijing Winter Olympics will be broadcast in 4K for the first time in history, and will also be broadcast in 8K for the first time in some major events. "I hope that our broadcast can not only be watched on the big screen, but also on the small screen, not only for the sake of traditional TV broadcasting, but also to adapt to this digital era." Exacos said.
Beijing Winter Olympics main media center. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter He Changshan
Under the epidemic situation, the Beijing Winter Olympics will be closed-loop management. Montana Reira said that the traffic in the closed loop is convenient and efficient, the Olympic atmosphere is strong, and the people are hospitable. Exacos also said that we are in a very safe country, and the closed loop is a very safe place.
In the case of social distancing, in order to provide journalists with more adequate information services, MontanaRera said that all Winter Olympics conferences can be watched online in real time, and the media can download videos of relevant conferences. Even if the reporter cannot rush to the scene of the press conference, or even if the person is not in Beijing, he can also interview remotely by asking questions online.
Source: Xinhua News Agency