By Pu Jin The 2022 edition of the Winter Olympic Games will be held in Beijing, China from February 4 to February 20, and in just a matter of days, Beijing will become the first city to play host to both the Summer and the Winter Games. This year's Olympic Games include a record 109 events spanning 15 disciplines across seven sports. “Together for a Shared Future” - as the official motto a giant panda named Bing Dun Dun is the official mascot of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. “Bing” means ice and symbolises purity and strength, and “Dun Dun” represents children. The mascot embodies the strength and willpower of athletes and will help to promote the Olympic spirit. With seven new events making their Olympic debut including men's and women's big air freestyle, women's mono bob (bobsleigh) and mixed team competitions in freestyle skiing aerials, ski jumping, snowboard cross and mixed relay in short track speed skating, athletes from across the globe are eagerly heading to Beijing to compete in the grand event. The voices of the international community supporting the Beijing Winter Olympics and opposing the sports have become louder than ever. In recent days, many international dignitaries and international organizations have voiced their support for the Beijing Winter Olympics. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Argentine President Alberto Fernández, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, and others have stated that they will attend the Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022. The 2022 Olympics are also the second games to take place during the COVID-19 pandemic and with the Games only days away, China has delivered. It has plowed through the obstacles that once made Beijing’s bid seem a long shot, and faced down new ones, including an unending pandemic. While some people are concerned about vaccinations. It will be mandatory for the Beijing Winter Olympics participants to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before departure to be allowed into the closed-loop system without quarantine, but athletes and officials may be granted an exemption based on detailed criteria established by a joint panel of medical experts. The World Health Organization emergencies director Michael Ryan, said the countermeasures, which include a “closed-loop management system” and daily testing for all attendees, were initiatives spearheaded by Beijing 2022 officials and the International Olympic Committee. He is confident the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing will not cause a Covid-19 outbreak because of strict controls and measures that will be in place during the Games. It is worth mentioning that a booster shot for participants is strongly encouraged, although not mandatory. Furthermore, COVID-19 liaison officers in all organizations are required to ensure that members understand the anti-epidemic measures, make preparations before traveling to China, and carry out communication and coordination work such as epidemic emergency response. People involved in the Games should take nucleic tests daily, minimize social activities, wear masks, and avoid closed spaces and gatherings. The timing of the Beijing Winter Olympics falls in line with the country’s ambitions to develop its winter sports market and will function not only as motivation to develop the infrastructure and coaching but also as motivation for athletes to engage in winter sports. Beijing 2022 “will not only enhance our confidence in realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, but it will also show a good image of our country and demonstrate our nation’s commitment to building a community with a shared future for mankind.” said President Xi Jin Ping. President Xi put his personal prestige on the line when China bid to host the 2022 Winter Games, and the country has come through on its promises. China no longer needs to prove its standing on the world stage; instead, it wants to proclaim the sweeping vision of a more prosperous, more confident nation under President Xi, the country’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. As President Xi promised, the toxic air that once choked Beijing has given way to blue skies. High-speed railways have slashed the trip from Beijing to the most distant venues from four hours to one. Preparations for these Games reflect President Xi’s style of governance. He has been at the center of each decision - from the layout of the Olympic Village in Chongli, to the brands of skis and ski suits. In keeping with increasingly nationalistic policies, he voiced a preference for Chinese ski equipment over imports. The hype surrounding the international sporting event has led to an uptick of interest in skiing and skiing vacations in China. According to a report by Trip.com Group, a Chinese multinational online travel company, bookings at ski hotels in the Chinese mainland increased by 73% in December 2021 compared to the previous month, with 45% of traveling skiers choosing short-haul accommodation options (hotels located within 300 kilometers of a vacationer’s residence). Additionally, bookings to ski resorts in the Chinese mainland rose six-fold between December 20 and January 1, 2022. Perhaps unsurprisingly, young people seem to be propelling the trend. Also, when it comes to watching the games, the organizers would not sell tickets to international audiences in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of all participants but the opening ceremony will be televised live for the global audience.