Pyeongchang 2018 Debrief kicks off in Beijing

BEIJING -- The Pyeongchang 2018 Debrief started at the headquarters of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games on Monday.

According to international practice, as one Olympic Games ends, a debriefing will be held in the host city of the next Olympic Games to share expertise, experience, and best practices for hosting the Games.

Following the work arrangements of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Pyeongchang 2018 Debrief is scheduled to take place from June 4 to June 8.

The debriefing's theme is "Learning Week: Towards the New Era" and it is held to improve the organizational capacity of Beijing 2022 by transferring knowledge from Pyeongchang 2018 to Beijing 2022.

To communicate and implement the reforms of the New Norm formulated by the IOC, the debrief will hold a series of strategic and operational learning sessions to train international professionals and to promote knowledge exchanges and cooperation between Beijing 2022 and relevant international organizations, National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and previous and future Organizing Committees for the Olympic Games.

Cai Qi, the president of the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee, delivered a speech at the opening session, saying the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games featured good organization and operation, notable technological highlights, and a rich cultural ambience. The Games has created multiple historical records and was a resounding success, leaving a deep impression on the rest of the world.

Cai also extended a warm welcome to all representatives of the IOC, the IPC as well as all the international federations who were invited to the start of the debriefing. Also at the debriefing were the Pyeongchang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG), the Tokyo Organizing Committee for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the Paris Organizing Committee for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Cai pointed out that it is of particular significance that the debriefing was held in the Shougang Industrial Park. The Shougang Group, one of China's largest steel enterprises, put an end to its production in the park years ago and relocated the production base in a bid to implement the national strategy of structurally upgrading the steel industry in order to improve Beijing's air quality, and support the preparations for the Beijing 2008.