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Beijing, Zhangjiakou qualified to bid for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games

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Beijing and Zhangjiakou are fully qualified to bid for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games due to their favorable locations and natural environments.

Beijing and Zhangjiakou are fully qualified to bid for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games due to their favorable locations and natural environments, declared Nicole Resch, Secretary General of the International Biathlon Union, on Nov. 19. After three months of detailed investigation from international athletic unions, the two cities have been granted four written certifications. The cities expect to obtain the remaining certifications at the end of November or the beginning of December.

Since August, Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games Bid Committee has hosted seven international Olympic unions, including the International Skating League, the International Ice Hockey Federation and the World Curling Federation. The International Biathlon Union, the latest union to visit, did a thorough assessment of the sports sites from Nov. 18 to 23. The biathlon, which combines skiing and shooting, became an Olympic event at the 1960 Winter Games. Athletes are supposed to shoot with small-bore rifles while skiing along the course track.

Zhangjiakou, a city in Hebei Province, has been designated to stage about 50 snow and ice events as a joint host with Beijing.

"The mountains in Chongli are quite suitable to build all kinds of ski courses due to their adequate height, expanse, temperature and wind speed. Moreover, they are covered with snow for as long as five months," said Gui Lin, the director of the design department of the Beijing Bid Committee.

"In terms of the transportation," Gui told Borut Nunar, an expert for the IBU, that "a high-speed railway will be built near the Olympic Villages and stadiums to connect Beijing and Zhangjiakou."

In order to promote ice sports in China, plans have been made to establish a sports center in Chongli, Zhangjiakou, not only in preparation for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, but also for use by the public in the future, said Zhao Yinggang, vice secretary-general of the Beijing Bid Committee.

Having spent over one hour observing the natural environment and geographic conditions, the expert group came to the conclusion that Beijing and Zhangjiakou met the requirements for hosting the biathlon.

Borut also attached great importance to environmental protection and suggested that China take the needs of athletes into consideration, advising that accommodation conditions be improved and advanced fitness equipment made available.

IBU will continue its investigation of the stadiums in the Olympic Park and the construction of the Olympic Village and exchange ideas with Beijing Olympic Winter Games Bid Committee.

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