Foreign media given peek behind gala

The media members were also given a close-up look at facilities to be used when Beijing hosts the Winter Olympics in three years.

Over 100 reporters from 68 countries representing 82 media outlets - including Agence France-Presse, Russia Today, TV Asahi and the The Straits Times - joined Tuesday's first interview tour at the National Speed Skating Oval, the National Aquatics Center and the National Stadium.