It is the Italian "teacher" and the "double Austrian" in Beijing - interview with Egan Tanner

Xinhua News Agency, Chongli, Hebei Province, January 29　

Xinhua News Agency reporters Yang Fan, Lu Xingji and Wang Haoyu

"The Beijing Winter Olympics are about to open soon, and the construction of the stadium where I am located is coming to an end, it is perfect, and I am very happy to be here." Egan Tanner, deputy manager of the news operation of the Genting Ski Park in the Zhangjiakou Competition Area of the Beijing Winter Olympics, said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency a few days ago.

Born in Italy, 54-year-old Tyner is a media and information expert who has served in three Summer Olympic Games and six Winter Olympics, counting the Beijing Winter Olympics, which is his tenth time working for the Olympic Games.

"When you have the opportunity to work for the Olympics, you feel happy because you are involved in the Olympic cause." Tenner said.

Talking about his work experience in serving the Beijing Winter Olympics, Tanner said: "I am very happy to be invited by the Beijing Winter Olympic Organizing Committee. After entering The country, I stayed in Beijing for a month, and then I came to the mountains of Chongli. The venues and landscapes are very majestic, there is always snow to see, and the climate is also very good, which is very suitable for hosting a Winter Olympics. ”

Although he is already a "teacher" working for the 10th Olympic Games, when the reporter asked Tana to evaluate the Current Winter Olympics, he said that it was difficult - "It is difficult to evaluate the Beijing Winter Olympics, because the work is very precise and complex." ”

"For example, Genting, where I am located, is an important competition venue for the Beijing Winter Olympics, with 6 world-leading tracks, 3 mixed interview areas, and people working in the venue from 6 am to (the next day) 1 am, and there will be a lot of media personnel flowing here during the game." "But for now, all experts, including the International Olympic Committee, have a positive evaluation of our venues, streamlines, operations, etc.," Tanner said. ”

With the work experience of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, he came to Beijing again, and Tyner also became a Beijing "double Olympic". "I can see that all the staff are showing enthusiasm for their country to host a Winter Olympics, and many of them are very professional." Tenner said.

Tanner said hosting the Winter Olympics is important to China and that he and all the venue staff will work until the end of the Winter Olympics.

Talking about working and living in Chongli, Tyner said: "Everyone is very enthusiastic, I like to deal with them, China has a culture and history that is different from other countries, and they always have a lot of stories to tell me. Every day at work, everyone will give me positive feedback, I am in a very good mood, this will be an important part of my good memories of the Beijing Winter Olympics. ”

Tenner's hometown of Italy will host the 2026 Winter Olympics. Before that, he was pleasantly surprised to be able to work and serve at the Beijing Winter Olympics. "Although China is not my motherland, I think China is great, the whole country is very open, and everyone is working hard for the Olympics." It is indeed a coincidence that I can serve Beijing before the Winter Olympics in Italy. Tanner said.

Different from previous editions, in the context of the global epidemic, how Beijing can ensure the smooth and safe hosting of the Winter Olympics has also become the focus of the world's attention.

"In recent years, the epidemic has been raging around the world, but it is very precious that I can still participate safely in China in the Olympic Games." "Before we left, my family said to me: 'You should be thankful that the virus is everywhere, but China's epidemic prevention and control work is the world's leading, and I look forward to your good performance in the Beijing Winter Olympics.'" ’”

The Year of the Winter Olympics, the Year of China. Thanks to the efforts of the Chinese team staff to "popularize science", Tyner has recently learned a lot about the traditional Chinese New Year. "I learned that the Winter Olympics coincide with the traditional Chinese New Year, and I am very excited to spend the New Year in China, this time with the Chinese team, and we are all on the field during the New Year." (End)