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100 days out from the Winter Olympics, what are the big issues facing Beijing 2022?

  • Final countdown begins as China gets set to make history with Beijing Games, but there are still plenty of problems to solve
  • Whereas Beijing 2008 was ‘One World, One Dream’, China finds itself hosting a second Games in much more uncertain and divided times

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Wu Dajing of China celebrates victory after the men’s 500m final of the short track speed skating at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games. Photo: Xinhua

Beijing is set to mark an historic achievement in February, when it will become the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics.

However, like almost every other Games before it, a number of headaches will continue to plague organisers right up until the moment the Olympic flame is lit at the opening ceremony.

There is plenty at stake again for China, which will be looking for another soft power win similar to 13 years ago when it welcomed the world with an unforgettable opening ceremony, and a Games to match.

But whereas Beijing 2008 was “One World, One Dream”, China will find itself hosting a Games in much more uncertain and divided times in 2022, with the lack of overseas spectators perhaps symbolic.

02:14

China, IOC to ban overseas spectators from 2022 Olympic Winter Games

China, IOC to ban overseas spectators from 2022 Olympic Winter Games
A number of issues are already proving difficult for Beijing 2022 – including ongoing chatter surrounding a boycott from Western politicians and organisations, sparked last year by China’s alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang.
China has denied the allegations, and claimed the regional government organised “employment-orientated” training and labour skills for nearly 1.3 million workers a year in Xinjiang from 2014 to 2019.
Nico is a production editor on the South China Morning Post’s sport desk, where he covers mixed martial arts (MMA) in Asia, as well as local sport in Hong Kong. He was previously a sports writer and editor for ESPN.
Kin-wa joined the Post after working for the Hong Kong Sports Development Board and the government for more than a decade. Previously, he was at the Standard for six years. Kin-wa has covered the Olympic Games twice, and three Asian Games as Post reporter.
Patrick Blennerhassett is an award-winning Canadian journalist and four-time published author. He is a Jack Webster Fellowship winner and a British Columbia bestselling novelist. He is a former sports writer for the Post.
Andrew McNicol is a sports writer with a particular interest in football, rugby and mixed martial arts. He also enjoys covering local athletes and niche sports in the region. He has a master's degree in Media and Communications Governance from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
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