CRI听力:China Prepares for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games

After hosting the Summer Olympics in 2008, China is fully prepared for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, and ready to make it a success.

Wang Hui, deputy secretary general at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games Bidding Committee, believes winning the bid would expand the development of winter games across the whole country.

"The wish of our people is the first reason as to why we decided to bid. Second I think it's very beneficial to develop winter sports in China. In the north east part of china winter sports has a very long and well developed tradition, now our commit is to expand that tradition down south and east and west."

Indeed, more and more people are engaging in winter sports in China. In Beijing alone there are over one thousand ice hockey teams among primary school children. In Zhangjiakou there is already a skiing venue in place, and the sport has really picked up over the years.

Three zones are planned for the 2022 Winter Olympics, the Beijing zone, Zhangjiakou zone and the Yanqing zone, an area in Beijing's suburb.

Luo Lie from Yanqing Operation Centre of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, explains what events would be held in each zone.

"The ice sports will be held in Beijing, the Yanqing zone will have sliding events as well as alpine skiing events. And all the other winter sports events will be held in the Zhangjiakou zone."

If China was to win the bid for the 2022 Winter Games, the famous Birds Nest in Beijing would be used for the opening and closing ceremonies, and skating events.

Wang Hui adds that not much is needed, but another ski venue in Yanqing and a high speed rail would be built.

"We only need to build one massive scale ski track venue. Also in terms of infrastructure, we are planning to build a high speed rail between Zhangjiakou and Beijing which would shorten the distance to about 50 minutes. "

Wang Zhijun, a deputy division chief at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games Bidding Committee, is confident China will win the bid, and believes it would help the development of the areas hosting the events.

"It will definitely be a driver for economic and social development, as well as improvement in infrastructure. It will also make our people happier, and further more I think it's important that it will help the joint development of Yanqing, Beijing and Hebei Province."

In March, the International Olympic Committee will head to Beijing and Zhangjiakou for inspection. Then on July 31st in Kuala Lumpur, the decision as to who will host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games will be made at the IOC assembly.

For CRI I'm Chloe Lyme.