(Sports Focus) Highlights of IOC Evaluation Commission assessment on Beijing 2022

Following are the highlights of IOC Evaluation Commission's assessment on Beijing 2022 which was released on Monday:

STRENGTHS:

The maximum use of strong existing hosting assets, including venues, infrastructure (such as transport, accommodation and media facilities) and human capital.

This will provide for a more sustainable and economical Games, embracing the Olympic Agenda 2020 spirit and goals. The report highlighted that Beijing 2022 has robust plans in place for post-Games use of all the existing and new venues.

Full and unconditional government support, significantly high public support for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Games was noted within the IOC Evaluation Commission report, which unveiled the results of an independent surveys carried out by the IOC.

Over 90 percent of Chinese residents nation-wide support the Beijing 2022 bid. The figures are very close to the results of a survey that Beijing 2022 carried out in early 2014, confirming that hosting a Winter Games is the shared aspiration of the Chinese people who, in 2008, were key to delivering a truly exceptional Summer Olympic Games to the world.

A strong national government supported pledge to increase participation in winter sports and establish a fully year-round sports tradition. Beijing 2022 was noted to offer the Olympic Movement a huge opportunity 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.

A truly sustainable Games concept.

Based on existing and on-going programs with clear objectives and budgets, preparations for the Beijing 2022 Games are expected to further boost the economic development of the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Sport, Culture and Tourism Belt.

Delivery certainty due to a stable, resilient and diversified Chinese economy, supporting strong financial guarantees and huge marketing potential around a Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Given the sizable market and huge growth potential, it is strongly believed to be an achievable goal with the opportunity for Beijing 2022's marketing partners to benefit with a strong return on investment.

Truly memorable and unique Games setting.

Beijing's quick and efficient transportation, world-class hotels, cosmopolitan cuisine and spectacular sightseeing will provide for a truly joyful Games experience 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 and the Chinese New Year celebrations being the perfect timing to discover China's millennial traditions.

CHALLENGES:

Substantial reliance on snowmaking in all mountain venues especially in Yanqing.

There could be no snow outside of the racecourse, especially in Yanqing, impacting the visual perception of the snow sports setting. The ski jumping venue in the Zhangjiakou Zone would require the relocation of approximately 400 people. Beijing 2022 offered assurances that they would be provided a choice of new housing or compensation.

Increased development for winter sport tourism would impact on regional water resources. Expansion of winter sports resorts in Yanqing would require sensitivity to ecological impacts.

In spite of major environmental improvement programs, Games-time mitigation measures may be needed to reduce negative impact on Games participants. Reliance on artificial snowmaking would require diversion of water from existing reservoirs and may impact other land uses.

The proposed Alpine skiing and sliding venues and the Olympic Village at Yanqing would be adjacent to the 4,600 hectare Songshan National Nature Reserve and is part of the same mountain ecosystem. This would impose a number of environmental requirements that would have to be taken into consideration during the detailed planning phase.

Beijing, along with much of the rest of eastern and northern China, continues to experience poor air quality. A number of major government initiatives have been introduced to respond to the problem, notably the 120 billion US dollars "Beijing Clean Air Action Plan" for 2013-2017. A second phase action plan for the period 2018-2022 is currently under development.

The action plan comprises a large-scale program to clean up, relocate or close down polluting industries; increase green energy generation; reduce traffic-related emissions; and reforest vast areas of barren land.

A revised Environmental Protection Law that came into effect in 2015 provides the most stringent regulations on prevention and controlling atmospheric pollution to date at both national and local levels. In addition to the long-term strategy, the government has confirmed that it would impose additional temporary measures to improve air quality. Beijing 2022 has committed to meet WHO standards during Games-time in 2022. These combined efforts should ensure safe conditions for the athletes. However, increased energy demand in winter coupled with seasonal weather patterns that can bring pollutants from other regions could create air quality issues across the Games zones.

The Olympic Village in the Zhangjiakou Zone would require the relocation of approximately 1,100 people. Beijing 2022 offered assurances that they would receive new housing or compensation.

City traffic congestion could slow travel between accommodation and city venues beyond predicted travel times. Shortage of skilled workforce for disciplines in snow and sliding sports would require investment in international experts, workforce recruitment and training. Endi