Wang Hui, Deputy Secretary-general of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games Bid Committee and Director of the committee's Communications Department.

"If we are successful in our bid, we will fully deliver the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games 100 percent," said Wang Hui, Deputy Secretary-general of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games Bid Committee and Director of the committee's Communications Department.

Wang's comment came at a special press briefing held for journalists in Beijing on June 30 as the city makes final preparations to present its bid to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

After their evaluation visit to Beijing from March 24 to 28, the IOC published the "Report of the 2022 Evaluation Commission" on June 1, reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of the two candidates for the Games. The report concluded that the "experience and expertise gained from hosting the 2008 Beijing Games and the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing has benefitted [Beijing's] 2022 bid and would benefit a 2022 Beijing Games across many operational areas."

The IOC noted Beijing's advantages in regional integration and the use of existing venues, saying, "Six venues exist and three are planned irrespective of the Games. The concept takes advantage of infrastructure improvements resulting from the region's long-term development strategy." However, the IOC Evaluation Commission did express concerns about the city's shortage of snowfall.

Responding to this comment, Wang said: "There has not been a single Winter Olympics that has not used artificial snow. The IOC Evaluation Commission mentioned that Beijing lacks snow, but it also said that water resources are completely sufficient. Even in the most adverse circumstances, the amount of water used in snowmaking would only account for less than 0.5% of the total in the area."

Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun said that the report "confirmed that Beijing 2022's principles of being athlete-centered, sustainable and economical embody the Olympic Agenda 2020 values." Beijing will continue to present its advantages and act on the suggestions of the Olympic Committee, he added.

Beijing's Winter Olympic bid has brought a significant boost to winter sports in China. The government has launched the "300 Million People Winter Sports Plan" to enhance public knowledge of and participation in winter sports. Last winter, the city saw big increases in the number of people taking up skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports, a practice that organizers hope can become part of the legacy of the bid, regardless of whether it is successful or not.

The bid will also enhance international recognition for Beijing and the city of Zhangjiakou as tourism and sports destinations, boosting regional economic development and accelerating the implementation of air quality improvement plans.

Responding to concerns about air pollution during the Games, Wang expressed confidence in measures to improve air quality, saying, "In their report, the IOC expressed their satisfaction with Beijing's plan to reduce air pollution by 2022. According to our current goals, we will have reduced our air pollution to within international standards by the time of the Games."

Asked by China.org.cn about the development of Zhangjiakou as a tourist destination, Wang said, "Zhangjiakou has very good conditions for tourism. It is even better in the winter. As a ski resort, Zhangjiakou has outstanding snow conditions. The Japanese and Korean skiing teams have trained there because they can start skiing as early as October."

Wang also stated that the biggest obstacle to the development of winter sports tourism at Zhangjiakou is a lack of public awareness of the destination. "Whether Beijing's [bid] is successful or not, Zhangjiakou will benefit as a tourism center, and it will continue to develop as a Chinese, Asian or even a world winter sports center," she added.

The IOC will make its final decision on the city to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games on July 31, when it will choose between Beijing, China and Almaty, Kazakhstan.

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