BEIJING: The International Olympic Committee has selected Beijing as the host city for the 2022 Winter Olympics making the China city the first ever to host both summer and winter games.
Beijing, host of the 2008 Summer Olympics, won 44 nods against rival Almaty’s 40 in the International Olympic Committee vote in Kuala Lumpur Friday afternoon.
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a letter of appreciation to IOC President Thomas Bach on Friday evening, expressing thanks to the IOC for its trust and support in selecting Beijing together with Zhangjiakou as the host of the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
“#Beijing2022 has been elected host city for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games!
— Beijing 2022 (@Beijing_2022) July 31, 2015
“To present a fantastic, extraordinary and excellent Winter Olympics is the aspiration of over 1.3 billion Chinese people. We will fulfill all our commitments and witness, together with the people of all other countries and the IOC, the advent of a new phase in the development of the Olympic winter sports and in the spread of the Olympic spirit,” said Xi in the letter.
In Beijing and its co-host Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, people welcomed the exciting moment with traditional dances, patriotic songs and even tears.
#Beijing2022 promises to deliver an athlete-centered, sustainable and economical games at the foot of the Great Wall of China!
— Beijing 2022 (@Beijing_2022) July 31, 2015
