Wang Anshun, President of the Beijing 2022 Bid Committee and Mayor of Beijing, spoke to Xinhua News Agency on the International Committee Committee Evaluation Commission report which was released on Monday.
What is your first reaction to the IOC Evaluation Commission report that was released earlier today? Does it indicate why Beijing would be a strong host for the Olympic and Paralympic Games?
Wang: The report has confirmed our belief that Beijing 2022 offers assured Games delivery and a huge potential for winter sport.
We thank the IOC Evaluation Commission for their detailed review of our bid, which reflects the open and productive dialogue that we had with the Evaluation Commission members throughout their visit to Beijing and Zhangjiakou. This new process has been shown to be very beneficial and we have enjoyed the two-way consultation spirit provided by the Olympic Agenda 2020.
It has been a boost for our bid that the IOC Evaluation Commission has praised our work in the areas that we consider central for our Bid, such as our focus on athletes, sustainability and cost-efficiency.
Between now and the host city election, Beijing 2022 will focus on continuing to listen to the Olympic Family, while explaining the strengths of our bid and transformative mutual benefits that awarding the Games to Beijing would bring.
What do you see as the main advantages of the bid?
Wang: Hosting a Games is a huge responsibility and a focus of our bid has been to provide an assured Games delivery through a robust budget, secured funding and full support from government.
Beijing 2022 has fully embraced the spirit and goals of the Olympic Agenda 2020 presenting an athlete-centerd, sustainable and economical Games concept.
Beijing 2008 Games' experience and legacy will be put into full use in order to provide the athletes with the best experience, all while ensuring sustainability and cost-efficiency of the 2022 Games.
But it also offers much more: it offers the Olympic Movement endless opportunities 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.
Finally, Beijing's quick and efficient transportation, world-class hotels, cosmopolitan cuisine and spectacular sightseeing will provide for a truly joyful Games experience upon pure ice and snow 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.
Legacy and sustainability of the Games is a key focus of the Olympic Agenda 2020. How is Beijing 2022 planning to meet this objective?
Wang: Agenda 2020 has played a crucial role in the thinking and strategizing that led to the creation of Beijing 2022's Candidature File from the very inception of the Beijing 2022 Bid.
For example, in compliance with the recommendations included in IOC's Agenda 2020, Beijing 2022 will fully capitalize on Beijing 2008's legacy not only in terms of existing competition venues, but also in terms of infrastructure, operations experience (including an existing pool of high-level professionals) and much more.
The key theme of sustainability that played a crucial role in Agenda 2020 can also be found in Beijing 2022's blueprint for sustainable development through boosting the economic development of the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Sport, Culture and Tourism Belt. In other words, the Olympic Games will substantially help the establishment of a major global winter sports center located at the foot of the Great Wall of China, attracting millions of tourists not just from all over China, but also Asia and the whole world.
At Beijing 2022, we are confident that the Beijing 2022 legacy will be powerful, far-reaching and attractive with a solid foundation and appealing proposition for both the Olympic Movement and China.
