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Vice-premier promises an assured Winter Games

Updated: Jun 9,2015 8:06 PM     Xinhua

Vice-Premier Liu Yandong reiterates Beijing’s promise of an assured Winter Olympics delivery and great prospects for winter sports during a presentation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, June 9, 2015.[Photo/Xinhua]

LAUSANNE — Vice-Premier Liu Yandong reiterated Beijing’s promise of an assured Winter Olympics delivery and great prospects for winter sports during a presentation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on June 9.

At the 2022 Olympic Winter Games Candidate City Briefing, the eight-member Beijing team put forward a strong case to 85 of the IOC’s 101 members, explaining how their bid is embracing the Olympic Agenda 2020 with the concept of athlete-centered, sustainable and economical Games.

One behalf of the Chinese government, the vice-premier confirmed the full government support for Beijing’s bid.

“We have always been a loyal partner with the IOC,” she said. “The Chinese people are passionate about the Olympic Winter Games and they are eager to contribute to the Games.”

Surveys by both IOC and the Beijing bid committee have shown over 90 percent of people in China support Beijing’s bid.

Vice-Premier Liu Yandong reiterates Beijing’s promise of an assured Winter Olympics delivery and great prospects for winter sports during a presentation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, June 9, 2015.[Photo/Xinhua]

The candidate city briefing is considered crucial in influencing the IOC ahead of the final July 31 vote during the committee’s 128th session in Kuala Lumpur.

Beijing is now entering the final stages which may see the Chinese capital become the first city ever to host both summer and winter Olympic Games.

Beijing announced its bid for the 2022 Olympics in November 2013 and its bid committee was set up in January 2014.

Beijing, Almaty and Oslo of Norway were recognized as the candidate cities by the IOC Executive Board on July 7, 2014.

Oslo pulled out of the race late in the year.

According to Liu, Beijing’s bid will promote Olympic solidarity, friendship and peace among the Chinese people, encourage over 300 million Chinese to participate in winter sports and promote healthy lifestyles in China.

“We are upgrading the Chinese Olympic Museum, and we will make the International Winter Sports Expo as an annual event,” the vice-premier said.