• The Zhangjiakou National Ski Jumping Centre is seen in Zhangjiakou in northern China's Hebei Province, Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. The venue will host ski jumping and nordic combined competition at the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. (AP Photo / Mark Schiefelbein)
    The Zhangjiakou National Ski Jumping Centre is seen in Zhangjiakou in northern China's Hebei Province, Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. The venue will host ski jumping and nordic combined competition at the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. (AP Photo / Mark Schiefelbein)
  • The National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics. AP
    The National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics. AP
  • The Zhangjiakou National Cross-Country Skiing Centre in northern China's Hebei Province will host cross-country skiing and nordic combined competitions during the Winter Olympics. AP
    The Zhangjiakou National Cross-Country Skiing Centre in northern China's Hebei Province will host cross-country skiing and nordic combined competitions during the Winter Olympics. AP
  • The Wukesong Sports Centre in Beijing will host the ice hockey competition. AP
    The Wukesong Sports Centre in Beijing will host the ice hockey competition. AP
  • The National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing will host speed skating competition. AP
    The National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing will host speed skating competition. AP
  • The Beijing Medals Plaza will host some of the medal ceremonies at the Winter Games. AP
    The Beijing Medals Plaza will host some of the medal ceremonies at the Winter Games. AP
  • The Beijing National Aquatics Centre will host the curling competitions at the 2022 Winter Olympics. AP
    The Beijing National Aquatics Centre will host the curling competitions at the 2022 Winter Olympics. AP
  • The Zhangjiakou Genting Snow Park will host the freestyle skiing and snowboard competitions. AP
    The Zhangjiakou Genting Snow Park will host the freestyle skiing and snowboard competitions. AP
  • The National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing. AP
    The National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing. AP
  • The Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing will host short track speed skating and figure skating competitions. AP
    The Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing will host short track speed skating and figure skating competitions. AP
  • The Zhangjiakou National Cross-Country Skiing Centre. AP
    The Zhangjiakou National Cross-Country Skiing Centre. AP
  • The National Indoor Stadium in Beijing will host ice hockey competitions at the Winter Olympics. AP
    The National Indoor Stadium in Beijing will host ice hockey competitions at the Winter Olympics. AP
  • The Big Air Shougang course will host the big air competitions at the Winter Olympics. AP
    The Big Air Shougang course will host the big air competitions at the Winter Olympics. AP
  • The Yanqing National Sliding Centre on the outskirts of Beijing will host bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton competitions at the Winter Olympics. AP
    The Yanqing National Sliding Centre on the outskirts of Beijing will host bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton competitions at the Winter Olympics. AP
  • The Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre will host alpine skiing competitions during the Beijing Winter Olympics. AP
    The Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre will host alpine skiing competitions during the Beijing Winter Olympics. AP
  • The Wukesong Sports Centre in Beijing will host ice hockey matches at the Beijing Winter Olympics. AP
    The Wukesong Sports Centre in Beijing will host ice hockey matches at the Beijing Winter Olympics. AP
  • The Zhangjiakou Genting Snow Park in northern China's Hebei Province. AP
    The Zhangjiakou Genting Snow Park in northern China's Hebei Province. AP
  • The Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Centre will host biathlon at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. AP
    The Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Centre will host biathlon at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. AP
  • The Big Air Shougang in Beijing will host the big air competition. AP
    The Big Air Shougang in Beijing will host the big air competition. AP
  • The Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre. AP
    The Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre. AP

Sport

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All venues that will host the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics - in pictures

Limited number of spectators will get to witness the Games due to pandemic

The National

January 19, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Beijing is gearing up to host the 2022 Winter Olympics even as concerns persist over the ongoing pandemic.

While the various venues that will host the tournament are ready, organisers have had to contend with a new wave of coronavirus. Beijing had announced that no fans from outside the country would be permitted at the events. Now, only selected spectators will be permitted at next month’s Winter Olympics.

No tickets will be sold to the general public, which means access to the famed National Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, and indoor venues in Beijing have been sealed off.

Local organisers are taking even more precautions than those at last summer's Tokyo Olympics. Unlike the 2021 Summer Olympics - which took place in a porous bubble - the perimeters of Beijing's 'closed loop' are sealed and guarded.

Once inside, people cannot leave until they either depart the country or complete several weeks of quarantine. This includes about 20,000 Chinese volunteers and staff at the venues.

Overseas participants, arriving mainly on special charter flights, enter the loop as soon as they land in Beijing.

The loop began on January 4 and will open fully by January 23. It will cover sealed-off sections of Olympic venues and designated accommodation. Participants will have move between them using designated transport. Everyone in the loop must have a daily PCR test administered by staff.

Also, food from outside the loop will not be allowed. More than 2,000 athletes are set to come to China for the Games, along with 25,000 other stakeholders. The Winter Games start on February 4 and conclude on February 20.

  • A worker walks past posters showing the Olympic mascot Bing Dwen Dwen and Paralympic mascot Shuey Rhon Rhon at the Winter Olympic Village in Beijing. AP
    A worker walks past posters showing the Olympic mascot Bing Dwen Dwen and Paralympic mascot Shuey Rhon Rhon at the Winter Olympic Village in Beijing. AP
  • Flags at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP
    Flags at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP
  • Residences at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP
    Residences at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP
Updated: January 19, 2022, 11:34 AM
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