Q&A with Beijing mayor on bid assessment

Wang Anshun, President of the Beijing 2022 Bid Committee and Mayor of Beijing, spoke to Xinhua News Agency on the International Committee Committee Evaluation Commission report which was released on Monday.

What is your first reaction to the IOC Evaluation Commission report that was released earlier today? Does it indicate why Beijing would be a strong host for the Olympic and Paralympic Games?

Wang: The report has confirmed our belief that Beijing 2022 offers assured Games delivery and a huge potential for winter sport.

We thank the IOC Evaluation Commission for their detailed review of our bid, which reflects the open and productive dialogue that we had with the Evaluation Commission members throughout their visit to Beijing and Zhangjiakou. This new process has been shown to be very beneficial and we have enjoyed the two-way consultation spirit provided by the Olympic Agenda 2020. 

It has been a boost for our bid that the IOC Evaluation Commission has praised our work in the areas that we consider central for our Bid, such as our focus on athletes, sustainability and cost-efficiency.

Between now and the host city election, Beijing 2022 will focus on continuing to listen to the Olympic Family, while explaining the strengths of our bid and transformative mutual benefits that awarding the Games to Beijing would bring.

What do you see as the main advantages of the bid?

Wang: Hosting a Games is a huge responsibility and a focus of our bid has been to provide an assured Games delivery through a robust budget, secured funding and full support from government.

Beijing 2022 has fully embraced the spirit and goals of the Olympic Agenda 2020 presenting an athlete-centerd, sustainable and economical Games concept.

Beijing 2008 Games' experience and legacy will be put into full use in order to provide the athletes with the best experience, all while ensuring sustainability and cost-efficiency of the 2022 Games.

But it also offers much more: it offers the Olympic Movement endless opportunities to grow winter sports in one of the world's largest markets, further spreading the Olympic values among more than 300 million local residents - and beyond.

Finally, Beijing's quick and efficient transportation, world-class hotels, cosmopolitan cuisine and spectacular sightseeing will provide for a truly joyful Games experience upon pure ice and snow where spectators would be able to enjoy winter sports scenery and the drive of a modern cosmopolitan city all in one day, with stunning views of the Great Wall providing for a unique setting for snow competitions.