Kuala Lumpur (RWH) The XXIV Olympic Winter Games will be held in the Chinese capital of Beijing. This decision was made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its 128th session in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Beijing, which also hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 2008, beat its only competitor Almaty in Kazakhstan.
„We saw two great bid presentations, both from Almaty and Beijing. It was a close decision, as both candidates had excellent concepts“, said Ivo Ferriani, president of the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation IBSF, who in Kuala Lumpur complimented the Vice Premier of the People´s Republic of China, Madam Liu Yandong, on the sucessful bid. „Our congratulations for Beijing – we really look forward to the cooperation over the next seven years."
The alpine events at the Winter Games in Beijing are planned for the Yanqing zone, 90 kilometres from Beijing, where an Olympic luge, bobsleigh and skeleton track will be built. The biathlon, cross country skiing, ski jumping, snowboard and freestyle skiing will be held 160 kilometres from China’s capital in Zhangjiakou. The Opening Ceremony is planned for the Bird’s Nest stadium, which hosted the track and field events at the 2008 Olympics.
