Beijing will host the Winter Olympics for the first time in its history, from February 4 to 20, 2022, 14 years after the summer ones. For the occasion, the Chinese capital opted for a more than original winter outfit, while taking over many infrastructures of the time.
From February 4 to 20, all eyes will be on the Chinese capital and its Olympic venues. While some have been built recently, others were already there in 2008 and have had a makeover. The Olympic events will be spread across three different geographical areas: Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou. Who says three distinct zones, also says three Olympic villages. Each village will have a special “chalet” architecture and will house around 6,000 athletes, coaches or members of delegations. This is what the Beijing 2022 set will look like.
Beijing, center of the Olympic Games
The second most populous city in China with nearly 22 million inhabitants will kick off these new Olympics on February 4. She will also end it on February 20. Beijing will mainly host the ice sports as well as the opening and closing ceremonies in its very famous “Bird nest”.
Beijing National Stadium, also called “Bird’s Nest”
Beijing’s National Stadium, inaugurated in 2008, is probably the country’s number one Olympic symbol. Usain Bolt, moreover, began to write his legend here during his first Olympics, winning the 100m and 200m. Forming a bird’s nest with its steel architecture, it can accommodate 91,000 people. Unlike the Summer Olympics, it will not be the scene of any event this year apart from the two ceremonies which will see 84 nations parade one after the other.
Beijing National Stadium. Photo credit: olympics.com
“Ice cube”, former Beijing “water cube”
The National Aquatic Center hosted all the swimming events in 2008. It was here that Michael Phelps won his 8 Olympic titles. Called “Water Cube”, he became “Ice cube” since this is where the curling events will be held.
The National Stadium and National Aquatics Centre were lit up at night!???????? Aren’t they stunning?#Beijing2022 is ready! ????learn more at: https://t.co/KhiTHoKjKS ???? : Pan Zhiwang pic.twitter.com/1OrXmgqID1
— Beijing 2022 (@Beijing2022) November 5, 2021
Three different sports halls
These three buildings will host ice sports. The first, Palais national omnisports, will host part of the ice hockey matches. He is also nicknamed “fan” given its architectural form. In 2008, this enclosure housed rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and handball. Other ice hockey matches will be held at the Wukesong Sports Center. This building hosted the Olympic basketball tournament during the Games in 2008. Finally, the capital’s Omnisports Palace will be entrusted with the figure skating and short track competitions. Note that this is the oldest Olympic site in Beijing (built in 1968). These three buildings have one thing in common, they each have a capacity of 18,000 seats.
FWIW, #Beijing2022 released virtual tours of some facilities, including National Indoor Stadium – where the bulk of games featuring (for now?) #NHL players will be contested. pic.twitter.com/RRhq2dteJ5
– Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 1, 2021
“Ice Tape”
The National Speed Skating Oval is one of two Olympic venues specially built for these Winter Games. It is located in Beijing’s Olympic Green, the Olympic Park built for the 2008 Games. The field hockey and archery events were held there. Called “Ice Tape” following its exterior covered with 32 ribbons of light, this new complex will host the speed skating events. This covered ring of 12,000 seats is also special because it will be able to emit numerous plays of light thanks to its famous ribbons, present over the entire height of the facade, i.e. 31.6 meters.
The Ribbon of Ice seen from the outside with its play of light. Photo credits: lapresse.ca
National speed skating ring, seen from the inside. Photo credit: olympics.com
Big Air de Shougang
The other novelty of Beijing 2022, here it is. Shougang Big Air was built on the site of a former steelworks. The few cooling towers of this factory, deliberately left in place to mark its industrial past, bear witness to this. Victim of urban renewal, one of these towers was the first headquarters of the Beijing 2022 organizing committee. In 2008, this steel plant was still in operation but it finally closed its doors in 2010 due to relocation in the neighboring province of Hebei. The Shougang Big Air, approximately 60 meters high and approximately 210 meters long, will be the scene of the Big Air events in freestyle skiing and snowboarding. The latter is also the only infrastructure built in downtown Beijing.
Big air from Shougang. Photo credit: olympics.com
Shougang Big Air with the cooling towers of the old factory in the background. Photo credits: boardriding.com
Yanqing Ski Area (Beijing District)
The mountainous area of Yanqing is about 75 kilometers northwest of central Beijing. It was chosen to host the alpine skiing events as well as those of sliding sports. There will be 100% artificial snow in the Yanqing Ski Area for the Olympic events. Indeed, this region is one of the driest in China. A first in the history of the Games. In 2018 in PyeongChang, there was 90% artificial snow. This area has nearly 25 kilometers of ski slopes, with 20% blue runs, 40% red runs and 40% black runs. The Yanqing region also hosts one of the sections of the Great Wall of China, at Badaling.
National ski and sliding centers
Composed of seven runs with a maximum drop of 900 meters, the National Ski Center will be the scene of alpine skiing during these Winter Olympics. It is located in the mountainous region of Xiaohaituo, northwest of Yanqing. Nearly 8,500 spectators are expected to attend the Olympic events. Regarding the National Sliding Center, he was able to see the birth of a little wonder. China inaugurated its very first sliding track there. This will be used for the bobsleigh, luge and skeleton events. Historically speaking, this is the third slide track designed in Asia. The National Sliding Center has a capacity of 10,000 places.
China’s first national sliding center that will host bobsleigh, skeleton and luge tracks event for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics features a wooden roof covering its entire length of 1.9 kilometers. Check some fresh visuals from the project site. pic.twitter.com/ij5gRq0hAk
— Canada Wood Group (@canadawoodgroup) January 6, 2021
Zhangjiakou Ski Area
Finally, here is the last area that will house the events of the Beijing Winter Olympics. The mountainous area of Zhangjiakou is located 180 kilometers northwest of the capital, even further than that of Yanqing. It will organize all the rest of the ski and snowboard events. Note that a high-speed train line has been specially set up for the Olympic Games. It connects Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou. The trip can be done in three hours. As with Yanqing, this very dry area of the country forced the organizers to install 100% artificial snow.
National centers for biathlon, cross-country skiing and ski jumping
As indicated, each discipline will be organized in its national center. The biathlon events will take place in the National Biathlon Centre. The brand new National Cross-Country Skiing Center will host the cross-country skiing and Nordic combined events. Finally, the National Ski Jumping Center is surely the most impressive thanks to its architecture. The springboard in the shape of “Ruyi” (Chinese ceremonial scepter symbolizing power and good fortune) owes the nickname “Snow Ruyi” to the Olympic site. Measuring 164 meters long and 60 meters high, it is the first permanent ski jump in the world. These three national centers each have 10,000 places and will serve as a training ground for the national teams concerned, after the Olympic Games. Some may also open to the general public.
National Ski Jumping Center. Photo credits: estrepublicain.fr
Genting Snowpark
Inaugurated in 2012, the Genting Snowpark is part of the ski resort “Genting Secret Garden”. It is located at 1700 meters above sea level. The Genting Snowpark will have the role of hosting, with the Shougang Big Air, the other part of the freestyle skiing events and all of the snowboarding events. There will be two car parks “A” and “B” with 7500 places each. One for freestyle skiing and the other for snowboarding.
Genting Snow Park. Photo credits: skiactu.ch
In the entire history of the Olympic Games, no city had had the honor of organizing both winter and summer editions. For Beijing, it is now done. The Chinese capital is going to open up to the world and these Olympic Games should be a great celebration despite the health crisis which has persisted for quite some time. The countdown begins.
Photo credit: olympics.com
Nicholas Issner
Passionate Manchester United journalist. Great follower of groundhopping and in search of the best atmospheres in Europe. Also a fan of tennis and F1. Yes, here we can talk about double fault and chicane.
