Chengdu-Chongqing 2032 Olympic Games bid ‘only an idea’ for now and far from reality, says former top official Wei Jizhong
- Former secretary general of the Chinese Olympic Committee says it may not be practical for the two neighbouring cities in the southwest to stage the Games
- Wei says Beijing is hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics and China may want to give other cities around the world a chance to bid for the Games
The joint Chengdu-Chongqing effort to host the 2032 Olympic Games is “only an idea” for now and does not mean the two cities’ bid will be accepted by Chinese authorities, said a former high-ranking sports official on Saturday.
Wei Jizhong, the influential past secretary general of the Chinese Olympic Committee, said it may not be practical for the two neighbouring cities to host the Games while officials may be reluctant to bid for a major event 10 years after Beijing hosts the Winter Olympics in 2022.
A document posted on the website of the Sichuan provincial government on Friday said: “As part of a national strategy to develop the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, the two cities will bid for the Olympics together to try to host a Games with strong urban and cultural characteristics of the two cities, and to enhance the international influence and competitiveness of the two cities.”
However, Wei, an honorary life president of the Olympic Council of Asia, said it was too early to consider the proposal an official bid.
“It’s just an idea in someone’s head,” Wei told the Post. “Anyone can say anything but it’s only an idea. The Chinese Olympic Committee has not said anything and I’m not taking it seriously for now.