Lithuanian athletes praised the work of the Beijing Winter Olympics: it took only 20 minutes to enter the country, and the track was no less than that of Europe

Source: Global Times - Global Network

When the plane arrived over Beijing, Andrei Drukalov, a participant in the Winter Olympics and a Lithuanian alpine skier, was very excited. "I've always wanted to go to China, and it's my dream to be able to see Beijing from above." In an interview with the Global Times reporter on the 10th, Drukalov said that he was deeply impressed by the city and the Winter Olympic Village. As for the relationship between neutral countries at a low point, Drukalov said he did not care much, "I think during the Winter Olympics, politics and conflict should be set aside." ”

Lithuanian alpine skier Andrei Drukalov

On the morning of the 8th of this month, Drukalov arrived in Beijing and stayed at the Yanqing Winter Olympic Village. "Although nucleic acid testing and a series of immigration formalities are required at the airport, these only take 20 minutes," and Delukalov was also observing the scenery of Beijing along the road on the way from the airport to Yanqing. "On the plane, I noticed those high-rise buildings, which are very conspicuous even if they are tens of kilometers away," Drukalov also praised the Yanqing Winter Olympic Village, believing that the new buildings in the village are very beautiful.

This is Droukalov's second participation in the Winter Olympics. At the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics, the 18-year-old Drukalov, the youngest member of the Lithuanian team, told the media at the time, "Beijing in 2022 is my dream and my goal." Today, his dream has come true and he is about to embark on the track of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

According to the Lithuanian Olympic Committee announced last month, the country will send its largest delegation to date to the Beijing Winter Olympics, including 13 athletes, participating in alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing and figure skating.

The day after arriving in Yanqing, Drukalov went to the National Alpine Ski Center for training, and he told the Global Times reporter that although the snow here is mostly man-made, the quality of the track is no less than that of Europe. At the same time, Drukalov was also impressed by the meticulous and enthusiastic service of Yanqing Winter Olympic Village. "All the people, whether it was volunteers, cleaning staff and security, were very friendly. The food served in the Winter Olympic Village is also good and varied. Drukalov said that under the regulations, athletes need to undergo nucleic acid tests once a day, and they need to wear masks and maintain social distancing, "which is completely understandable." ”

Lithuanian athletes participating in the Beijing Winter Olympics have a very special background, because the relationship between neutral countries is at a low ebb. In August last year, the Lithuanian government announced that it would allow taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities to set up so-called "representative offices" in the name of "Taiwan," and the Chinese government immediately recalled the Chinese ambassador to Lithuania. In November of the same year, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it would downgrade diplomatic relations between neutral countries to the level of chargé d'affaires.

Late last year, Lithuanian President Nauseda said he and other government ministers would not attend the Beijing Winter Olympics, which is believed to be a so-called "diplomatic boycott" of the Beijing Winter Olympics by following a handful of countries, including the United States.

"I heard about the political issues that have arisen between the two countries, and I read a lot of related news. But I think the Olympics are an opportunity to put all politics and conflict aside and allow athletes to focus on the game. Drukalov said that from an athlete's point of view, he did not observe the impact of tensions between the two countries, "I only focused on my training and competition." ”

The Lithuanian athlete told the Global Times that he believes the Winter Olympics reflect China's dedication to the event and its excellent organizational skills, "Chinese always seem friendly and helpful, although we may not have a language barrier." Drukalov said that when the new crown epidemic is over, he hopes to come to Beijing again as a tourist.