• The Zhangjiakou National Ski Jumping Centre in northern China's Hebei Province. The venue will host ski jumping and nordic combined competition at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. AP
    The Zhangjiakou National Ski Jumping Centre in northern China's Hebei Province. The venue will host ski jumping and nordic combined competition at the 2022 Beijing 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 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

Other Sport

How to watch the Winter Olympics 2022 in the UAE

The Beijing Games kick off on Friday with an opening ceremony at iconic Bird's Nest Stadium

The National

February 04, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Almost 14 years after Beijing presented a memorable summer Olympics to the world, the city is ready once again to host the Games.

This time, it is the Winter Olympics and in a vastly different climate. Unlike the previous Games in 2008, the focus this time is predominantly on the prevailing health situation enforced by the coronavirus pandemic.

As in 2008, the opening ceremony will take place at the iconic Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing. The ceremony will be a relatively low key affair and crowds considerably smaller as organisers decided last month to not sell tickets to Olympic events in an effort to curtail the spread of Covid-19.

A 'closed loop' has been set up to separate competitors and other personnel from the Chinese public throughout the Olympics, adding to the mystique surrounding the Games.

In all, around 3,000 athletes have arrived so far for the Games which begin on Friday, February 4.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, arrived in Beijing on Friday to attend the Winter Olympics.

Sheikh Mohamed is in China after being invited by President Xi Jinping.

How to watch the Winter Olympics 2022 in the UAE?

Sports fans in the UAE can watch the Beijing Winter Games on beIn Sports. The opening ceremony starts around 4pm UAE time, and will be held at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest Stadium.

How to watch the Games in other gulf countries?

Fans in other gulf countries like Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia can watch all the live action on beIn Sports.

When does the Winter Olympics start?

The Games start on Friday, with the opening ceremony at 8pm (Beijing time). The Games conclude on February 20.

Are any UAE athletes competing at the Games?

Unfortunately, there are no athletes representing the UAE at Beijing this time. However, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Lebanon have competitors at the Olympics.

  • Players of Denmark's women's ice hockey team pose for a photo at the 2022 Winter Olympics. AP
    Players of Denmark's women's ice hockey team pose for a photo at the 2022 Winter Olympics. AP
  • A worker prepares to administer a COVID-19 test at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AP
    A worker prepares to administer a COVID-19 test at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AP
  • 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
    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
  • An Australian athlete in action during pre-Beijing Olympics training, Genting Snow Park, Zhangjiakou, China. Reuters
    An Australian athlete in action during pre-Beijing Olympics training, Genting Snow Park, Zhangjiakou, China. Reuters
  • Skaters take part in a training session at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, ahead of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games. AFP
    Skaters take part in a training session at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, ahead of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games. AFP
  • Arterial roads are lit up as morning commuters drive along at dawn in western Beijing. AFP
    Arterial roads are lit up as morning commuters drive along at dawn in western Beijing. AFP
  • A worker prepares the apron of the arena during practice at the Wukesong Sports Centre. Getty
    A worker prepares the apron of the arena during practice at the Wukesong Sports Centre. Getty
  • Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, signs his name as he visits the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP
    Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, signs his name as he visits the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP
  • An athelte of Team Japan skis during a biathlon training session. Getty
    An athelte of Team Japan skis during a biathlon training session. Getty
  • An athlete uses treadmill in the fitness centre at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP
    An athlete uses treadmill in the fitness centre at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP
  • Members of Canada's team pose for a picture in Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP
    Members of Canada's team pose for a picture in Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP
  • IOC president Thomas Bach visits a room of the Canada team at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP
    IOC president Thomas Bach visits a room of the Canada team at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP
  • Thomas Bach attends the Olympic Truce Mural ceremony at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP
    Thomas Bach attends the Olympic Truce Mural ceremony at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP
  • A staff member prepares for the arrival of Thomas Bach before the Olympic Truce Mural ceremony. AFP
    A staff member prepares for the arrival of Thomas Bach before the Olympic Truce Mural ceremony. AFP
  • Thomas Bach talks with staff members of a restaurant as he visits the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP
    Thomas Bach talks with staff members of a restaurant as he visits the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games village. AFP
  • Lantern decorations are hung on trees on the Olympic Green near the Olympic Tower. AP
    Lantern decorations are hung on trees on the Olympic Green near the Olympic Tower. AP
  • A woman walks past an Olympic-themed decoration on the Olympic Green at the 2022 Winter Olympics. AP
    A woman walks past an Olympic-themed decoration on the Olympic Green at the 2022 Winter Olympics. AP
  • A view of the moguls course at the Genting Snow Park. AP
    A view of the moguls course at the Genting Snow Park. AP
  • Athletes practice during a training session at the National Biathlon Centre. AP
    Athletes practice during a training session at the National Biathlon Centre. AP
  • Harald Lemmerer of Austria during a training session at the National Biathlon Center. AP
    Harald Lemmerer of Austria during a training session at the National Biathlon Center. AP
  • Athletes train at the National Biathlon Center ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics. AP
    Athletes train at the National Biathlon Center ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics. AP
  • Members of the French Olympics team receive their luggage at the Beijing Capital International Airport. AP
    Members of the French Olympics team receive their luggage at the Beijing Capital International Airport. AP
  • Team Italy spped skaters during a practice session at the National Speed Skating Oval. Getty
    Team Italy spped skaters during a practice session at the National Speed Skating Oval. Getty
  • Members of Team Austria arrive at the Olympic Village ahead of the Winter Olympic Games. Getty
    Members of Team Austria arrive at the Olympic Village ahead of the Winter Olympic Games. Getty
  • Athletes train during a cross-country skiing training session. Getty
    Athletes train during a cross-country skiing training session. Getty
  • The cross-country course during a training session. Getty
    The cross-country course during a training session. Getty
  • Alexander Rumyantsev, Daniil Aldoshkin, and Ruslan Zakharov of Team ROC skate during a speed skating practice session. Getty
    Alexander Rumyantsev, Daniil Aldoshkin, and Ruslan Zakharov of Team ROC skate during a speed skating practice session. Getty
Updated: February 07, 2022, 6:03 AM
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