International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach invites world’s athletes to Beijing 2022 as countdown to Olympic Winter Games reaches one year to go

STORY SCRIPT:
To mark one year to go until the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has put athletes at the heart of this milestone by featuring their preparation and commitment to getting to the Games during these unprecedented times.

Athletes narrate and feature in self-filmed content in a #StrongerTogether film released on this landmark date. They will also hold live chats and take over the @Olympics social handles between 4 and 20 February the period during which next year’s Games will take place.

Today, from Olympic House in Lausanne, IOC President Thomas Bach formally invited the National Olympic Committees of the world and their winter sports athletes to participate in next year’s Games, saying: “One year from now, Beijing will write history as the first city ever to host both the summer and winter editions of the Olympic Games. These Games will connect the Chinese people with the world.”

He continued: “Having seen how China is overcoming the coronavirus crisis, we are very confident that our Chinese hosts will ensure safe and secure Olympic Games in full cooperation with the IOC. We can say already now with great confidence: China is ready.”

In China a One Year to Go celebration show was broadcast on national television. In addition to celebrating this special milestone with a cultural spectacular, the Beijing 2022 Organising Committee also unveiled the official Beijing 2022 torch design.

The Beijing 2022 Games will be transformative for both China and the global winter sports scene, with the aim of getting 300 million people engaged in winter sports and having received around one million applications for volunteer positions.