Opinion | Beijing 2022: can China pull off Winter Olympics amid Covid-19, Xinjiang human rights abuse claims and Hong Kong crackdown?

Name: Does China’s ice hockey squad face an Olympic-sized embarrassment at 2022 Winter Games in Beijing?
Uploaded: 2021-02-05T04:00:11.000Z
Duration: 3 min 3 s
Description: Does China’s ice hockey squad face an Olympic-sized embarrassment at 2022 Winter Games in Beijing?

Preparations for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing are on time and on budget, with Xi Jinping giving thumbs up

The Chinese Communist Party finds itself in a number of geopolitical conflicts, however, that could sully the Games

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Can China quell the controversy and put on a well-received 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing? Photo: EPA

Patrick Blennerhassett

Published: 12:00pm, 5 Feb 2021Updated: 11:17pm, 5 Feb 2021

In less than a year, Beijing will make history as the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics.

The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, which will take place from February 4 to 20, will be a massive win for China, showcasing a remarkable ability to host big name events, get infrastructure completed on time and not go over budget. The Chinese Communist Party will get a serious chance to flex some muscle and show off for all the world to see.

By all accounts in the Chinese media, Beijing 2022 is on time, on schedule and on budget. Of course, numbers and information need to be taken with a grain of salt and a sceptical eye, but you can bet China will be ready.

Xi Jinping did a PR tour a week ago, visiting facilities and saying all the right things, that the athletes, venues, organisers and buildings are all looking great and he is pleased with the progress. The Games will also get a serious shot of star power as it looks like National Hockey League players will attend, making the men’s ice hockey tournament a television rating bonanza.

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Does China’s ice hockey squad face an Olympic-sized embarrassment at 2022 Winter Games in Beijing?

China is also hard at work making sure a number of athletes who have been groomed for years will hit peak performance. The hosts are looking to bag at least five gold medals, which would be a vast improvement from the one they won in 2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea.