CRI听力:IOC Starts Evaluation Tour on Proposed Venues in Beijing

Headed by Russian member Alexander Zhukov, the IOC evaluation commission begin their tour at the National Stadium - the Bird's Nest.

As one of the five existing venues built for the 2008 Olympics, the Bird's Nest has been registered as the proposed venue for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2022 Winter Games.

On top of making the tour, the 19-member commission has also been given a detailed description of the plans for both the Games and post-Games.

IOC committee chief Alexander Zhukov.

"We're entering a new era for the Olympic movement. The unanimous approval of the Olympic Agenda 2020 last December has resulted in many important reforms, including an entirely new approach through the process of selecting procedures. You have the privilege of being at the very forefront of this new era. You are one of two candidate cities who will enjoy the benefits afforded by the Olympic Agenda 2020 for the very first time."

At the same time, Zhukov has also revealed the Olympic Committee is planning to offer significant financial assistance to the winning bid for 2022.

"It is important to know that the IOC will assist with operational costs. We will help with 880-million US dollars to the 2022 host city."

Zhang Jiandong is the vice-President of the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Olympic Games Bid Committee.

He says they've put together their bid with the IOC's spirit of reform in-mind.

"We've clearly stated that we follow the three concepts of hosting an athlete-centered, sustainable-development and economic Olympics. We've used them to guide our bidding and future preparations. The three concepts are highly consistent with the reform direction of Olympic Agenda 2020."

The evaluation commission is due to travel to Yanqing District in northwestern Beijing later today.

This is where the Alpine Skiing and sliding events have been proposed.

The IOC Committee is also due to travel to the partner city of Zhangjiakou later on this week.

Beijing is up against only the city of Almaty in Kazakhstan.

The IOC will announce the host city on July 31st.

For CRI, I'm Sophie Williams.