Beijing stakes strong claim to host Winter Games snow events

Beijing's plans to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games' snow events have impressed international skiing officials while assuaging concerns about its lack of snow sports facilities, the capital's bid committee said.

Since Beijing launched its bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics in November, concern about the lack of a winter sports tradition, especially skiing events, in the Chinese capital and surrounding areas has emerged as a potential disadvantage for its bidding prospect.

However, Beijing's plan to stage skiing events in its northwest suburb and snowy co-host city of Zhangjiakou, in neighboring Hebei province, has generated positive feedback from the International Ski Federation after its officials inspected the facilities and preparations.