Athletes arrive and train in Beijing ahead of Winter Olympics - in pictures

With Opening Ceremony on Friday, athletes and staff prepare for the start of the Games

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  Players of Denmark's women's ice hockey team pose for a photo at the 2022 Winter Olympics. AP

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  A worker prepares to administer a COVID-19 test at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AP

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  The National Stadium and the Beijing Olympic Tower are lit in red on the eve of the Chinese New Year ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AP

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  An Australian athlete in action during pre-Beijing Olympics training, Genting Snow Park, Zhangjiakou, China. Reuters

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  Skaters take part in a training session at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, ahead of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games. AFP

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  Arterial roads are lit up as morning commuters drive along at dawn in western Beijing. AFP

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  A worker prepares the apron of the arena during practice at the Wukesong Sports Centre. Getty

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  Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, signs his name as he visits the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP

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  An athelte of Team Japan skis during a biathlon training session. Getty

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  An athlete uses treadmill in the fitness centre at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP

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  Members of Canada's team pose for a picture in Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP

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  IOC president Thomas Bach visits a room of the Canada team at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP

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  Thomas Bach attends the Olympic Truce Mural ceremony at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP

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  A staff member prepares for the arrival of Thomas Bach before the Olympic Truce Mural ceremony. AFP

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  Thomas Bach talks with staff members of a restaurant as he visits the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP

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  Lantern decorations are hung on trees on the Olympic Green near the Olympic Tower. AP

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  A woman walks past an Olympic-themed decoration on the Olympic Green at the 2022 Winter Olympics. AP

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  A view of the moguls course at the Genting Snow Park. AP

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  Athletes practice during a training session at the National Biathlon Centre. AP

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  Harald Lemmerer of Austria during a training session at the National Biathlon Center. AP

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  Athletes train at the National Biathlon Center ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics. AP

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  Members of the French Olympics team receive their luggage at the Beijing Capital International Airport. AP

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  Team Italy spped skaters during a practice session at the National Speed Skating Oval. Getty

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  Members of Team Austria arrive at the Olympic Village ahead of the Winter Olympic Games. Getty

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  Athletes train during a cross-country skiing training session. Getty

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  The cross-country course during a training session. Getty

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  Alexander Rumyantsev, Daniil Aldoshkin, and Ruslan Zakharov of Team ROC skate during a speed skating practice session. Getty

The 2022 Beijing Olympics is only a few days away and athletes have been getting used to their new surroundings ahead of Friday's Opening Ceremony.

With teams still arriving in Beijing for the Games, many athletes already in China's capital have been preparing for their events by practicing on the ice and snow.

Hockey teams have been training at the Wukesong Sports Centre and National Indoor Stadium, while speed skaters have been racing around the National Speed Skating Oval.

Meanwhile, Genting Snow Park has welcomed skiers and snowboarders as they prepare for the Games. In the Olympic Village, which IOC president Thomas Bach has been visiting this week, athletes have been working on their fitness in the indoor gyms.

It is not only the athletes preparing for the Winter Olympics as staff and organisers arrange the finishing touches before the start of the Games.

The gallery above has some of the best photos from the past 24 hours at the Beijing Olympics. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.