Beijing, 18 Feb (Xinhua) -- International Olympic Committee President Bach said at a news conference held on the morning of 18 February that the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics were very successful and the athletes were very satisfied. He elaborated on athletes and event organization, broadcasting and legacy.
"In the context of the global epidemic, the Chinese government and Chinese people have provided warm reception for athletes around the world and set up a stage for athletes to show themselves. The athletes were very happy and satisfied with the safety of the venue facilities, the Olympic Village and the closed loop. In addition, the Olympic atmosphere of the Beijing Winter Olympics is also the strongest in the previous competitions in which I have participated. Bach said.
On February 18, IOC President Bach spoke at a press conference. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Yibo
At the same time, Bach also said that in this Winter Olympic Games, many athletes have overcome their own injuries and many other difficulties, actively showed themselves, and demonstrated their superb competitive level, while also taking many moving stories. For example, in the curling mixed doubles round robin tournament, Chinese players Ling Zhi and Fan Suyuan exchange badges with the American team, and in the snowboard women's big jump final, the players comforted the injured Japanese athlete Iwaso Reile, and these stories showed an unprecedented Olympic spirit.
In addition, Bach also affirmed epidemic prevention policies such as closed-loop management. According to him, during the Beijing Winter Olympics, the positive rate of closed-loop internal nucleic acid testing was only 0.01%. Bach said, "[The Closed Loop of the Beijing Winter Olympics] is one of the safest places on the planet, and all of us live very safely and comfortably within the Closed Loop." As long as everyone abides by the spirit of solidarity and everyone contributes, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a great event can be held. ”
"People's enthusiasm for the Winter Olympics is also reflected in the audience at all levels." Bach said that during the Winter Olympics, more than 2.7 billion people participated in the discussion of related topics on the official social media of the International Olympic Committee; in China alone, more than 600 million people watched the Beijing Winter Olympics on TV. In addition, he believes that the digital broadcast and communication technologies of this Winter Olympic Games are surprising and will promote the future development of the Olympic Movement.
At the same time, Bach reiterated the importance of the legacy of the Beijing Winter Olympics. He pointed out that China's greatest contribution to the Winter Olympics is to achieve the goal of "bringing 300 million people to participate in ice and snow sports". "Even if only a small part of these 300 million people decide to become professional ice and snow sports practitioners, in the future, global ice and snow sports will usher in a new development pattern."
On February 9, children experienced and learned ice sports such as skating and ice hockey at the Ice and Snow Sports Hall in Beijing's Chaoyang Joy City. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Xin
"At present, China has more than 2,000 ice rinks, and after the Beijing Winter Olympics, there will be more legacy." Bach revealed, "We have discussed related issues with other stakeholders such as the International Federation of Sports Organizations, and in the next season, more winter events such as the World Cup will be held in Beijing. ”
Bach also positively evaluated the role of the "Sustainability Management System for the Beijing Winter Olympics". As the first sustainability management system in Olympic history to integrate the three international standards of "sustainability management system for large-scale events, environmental management system and social responsibility guidelines", Bach believes that it will "effectively promote the participation of the whole world in ice and snow sports".
Editors: Shu Wen, Yu Sihui, Cao Yibo