This impoverished Chinese city bet its fortunes on the 2022 Winter Olympics. Then the Covid-19 pandemic happened

• The organisers had grand plans for a ‘fantastic, extraordinary and excellent’ event. Now the goal is to be ‘simple, safe and splendid’
• Zhangjiakou, the city hosting many of the skiing events, is hoping the event will transform its fortunes even though few, if any, spectators will be attending