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IOC members start history-making vote

Xinhua, July 31, 2015 Adjust font size:

Eighty five members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) started voting on the hosting right of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games at the 128th IOC session here on Friday.

Beijing or Almaty? No matter which city is chosen, the 2022 Winter Olympic Games will make a new history.

Kazakhstan will become the first central Asian country to host the Olympic Games if Almaty is chosen and Beijing will become the first city to host both the summer and winter Olympics if its bidding succeeds.

"On behalf of our people, we ask that you take this step with China and honor us with your vote, a vote that will impact generations," said Yu Zaiqing, Vice President of IOC and also Vice President of COC (Chinese Olympic Committtee) at Beijing's presentation.

Yu explained in detail what the step meant to IOC and China.

"You have the choice to step forward with a partner who will not only deliver athlete-centered Games, but who will also build a foundation for ice and snow sports long into the future."

"You have the choice to step forward with a city that not only delivers a sustainable Games aligned with Agenda 2020, but that also influences a large nation and contributes to the creation of a better world."

Earlier, Almaty 2022 started their presentation with a video showing the beautiful and snowing scene of the city, which means "the place where the apples grow".

"Kazakhstan is where the east meets west, the north meets south. The world came to us. You might not be familiar with Almaty, but I'm sure you are with the Silk Road," said Kanzakhstan Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov.

Under the slogan "Keeping it Real", Almaty has emphasized its traditional winter setting with tall mountains and plenty of natural snow coverage as well as compactness - most venues are within half an hour's travel through Alpine scenery.

There will be 85 IOC members voting in the 2022 race. Candidate city collecting at least 43 votes will win the host right of the 2022 Games.

Fifteen members, about 15 percent of the IOC members, will not be voting. They are 11 "excused" members including world soccer chief Joseph Blatter, three Chinese - Yu Zaiqing, Li Lingwei and Yang Yang, and IOC President Thomas Bach. Endi