Beijing Winter Olympics exceeds IOC expectations, says Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr.

WINTER OLYMPIC LEGACY BENEFITS ALL

Samaranch Jr.'s father and honorary life president of the IOC, Juan Antonio Samaranch, was an old friend of the Chinese people.

During Samaranch's IOC presidency, China successfully hosted the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, while Samaranch Jr. has been involved in the preparations for the 2022 Winter Olympics from the beginning.

Samaranch Jr. recalled the opening ceremony of Beijing 2022 and liked the flow of the storytelling and technology that was displayed.

"I think that the ceremony is a reflection on the state of mind of the whole country. In 2008, China wanted to tell the world 'here we are, we are here to say we had a big, very powerful celebration. It was a statement there."

"Now China doesn't have to say to anybody here we come. You are in the center of things of world affairs. This was a very interesting way of presenting 'Together for a Shared Future.' It was very well crafted and a very good message to give to the world."

Samaranch Jr. also mentioned how the Beijing Winter Olympic legacy will have a positive impact on future generations as did the 2008 Summer Games.

"You have extraordinary venues that will serve the population of China for many years to come, not 16 days, but for much more than 60 years."

"It's an infrastructure that is very important for the population, like high speed trains, and highways that is going to increase the quality of life."

Samaranch Jr. also lauded China's commitment to engaging 300 millions people in winter sports. "China is now a winter sports country and that will have a bigger effect in many things in your country and society," he concluded.