China to restrict Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics tickets to residents
Organisers of the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics have informed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that overseas visitors will not be allowed to attend the 2022 Games with tickets only to be sold to spectators from mainland China.
The Games organisers have also informed the IOC's executive board that to deliver a "safe and successful Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as scheduled”, unvaccinated athletes will be required to spend 21 days in quarantine ahead of the Games.
While vaccination is not mandatory for February’s Games, fully vaccinated athletes will enter a "closed-loop management system" upon arrival, within which they will move freely. This system will cover all Games-related areas and stadiums as well as accommodation, catering and the opening and closing ceremonies, served by a dedicated transport system.
While acknowledging disappointment among international fans who will not be able to attend, the IOC welcomed the decision to have spectators at the Games after the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics in July were held with empty stadiums due to COVID-19 precautions.
Commenting on this, the IOC advised in a statement “this will facilitate the growth of winter sports in China … as well as bringing a favourable atmosphere to the venues.”
The development is also likely to be welcomed by broadcasting rights holders and sponsors, following coverage of the Tokyo Games with empty stands in the background.
More details on the organisers' plans will be included in the Beijing Games playbooks to be issued in October and December.
The past week has also seen organisers release official posters and 11 promotional pieces featuring elements of winter sports and Chinese culture to highlight the Beijing 2022 motto ‘Together for a Shared Future’.
After a year-long selection campaign and rounds of thorough discussion and deliberation, the organising committee hopes to maximise use of the Winter Olympic posters to encourage more people around the country to be involved in the Games.
The Winter Olympics runs over 16 days, from 4th to 20th February, with the Chinese capital becoming the first city to have hosted both summer and winter editions after also staging the Beijing 2008 Summer Games.
Images show promotional posters for the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
Related Articles
21st September 2021 - Xi’an municipal government considers China National Games as opportunity to focus on wellness
17th September 2021 - Opening of China’s National Games marks return of major spectator events
27th August 2021 - Hong Kong and Macau to partner Guangdong in hosting China’s 2025 National Games
20th August 2021 - China introduces centralised ticketing system for live performance industry
9th August 2021 - Scaled down closing ceremony marks end of 2020 Tokyo Olympics
3rd August 2021 - COVID-19 hits commercial value of the Tokyo Olympics
11th June 2021 - IOC board unanimously backs Brisbane’s 2032 Olympics hosting bid
11th March 2021 - Thomas Bach re-elected for another four-year term as IOC President
20th March 2021 - Tokyo 2020 organisers confirm no international fans to attend Olympics and Paralympics
8th February 2021 - IOC President says Beijing 2022 will ‘transform winter sports’
3rd February 2021 - Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics Playbook rules aim to safeguard against Coronavirus
28th January 2021 - Chinese officials confident of completing preparations for a successful Beijing Winter Olympics
2nd December 2020 - Repurposed Beijing Water Cube becomes first venue completed for 2022 Winter Olympics
18th September 2020 - Beijing Culture and Tourism to hold online forum addressing China’s capital’s response to international tourism
6th August 2020 - World Health Organization says large crowds for sporting events are unrealistic this year
10th July 2020 - China bans international sporting events until 2021
13th June 2020 - IOC Coordination Commission praises progress on Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics
8th June 2020 - National Olympic Committees to benefit from US$11.7 million of Tokyo 2020 funding to cover Coronavirus costs
13th August 2019 - Beijing 2022 ski jumping venue to become year-round attraction
19th July 2019 - Alibaba secures Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics ticketing contract
25th June 2019 - IOC satisfied with preparations for Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics
14th March 2019 - Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics works move forward
12th June 2018 - Venue recycling key to planning for Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics
30th October 2017 - Construction commences on new Beijing 2022 Olympic venues
11th August 2016 - Beijing to reuse 2008 Olympic venues for 2022 Winter Games
