Awaiting the grand opening—A look at operations across Beijing Winter Olympics venues

With just eight days remaining until the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics, preparations at venues across the Beijing, Yanqing, and Zhangjiakou competition zones have entered the final sprint phase. Recent visits by reporters revealed that event schedules, media operations, as well as essential support measures such as pandemic prevention and emergency rescue efforts are now largely in place, eagerly awaiting the grand curtain-raiser of the Games.

The curling rink inside the "Ice Cube." Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Liang Jinxiong

The event schedule has been finalized, and venue operations are entering the final sprint.
The schedule for the Beijing Winter Olympics has been unveiled. Over the 19 competition days surrounding the opening ceremony, a total of 109 gold medals will be awarded across various events. The first event to kick off will be curling: on the evening of February 2, the National Aquatics Center will host four matches in the round-robin stage of the mixed doubles event, with Team China set to face Switzerland. Interestingly, during the previous Winter Olympics, China’s debut in this event also came against Switzerland—but unfortunately, they narrowly lost, ultimately allowing Switzerland to clinch the silver medal. As per regulations, none of the participating teams, including the host nation, are permitted to conduct unofficial training sessions ahead of the Games. It’s only on the morning of February 2 that the "Ice Cube" will welcome its first batch of teams for pre-competition practice. Meanwhile, ice-making preparations are progressing smoothly, and the four curling lanes are now nearly complete. At the scene, reporters observed that after meticulous work—including ice preparation, paint application, and cable installation—the lanes already look indistinguishable from their final, competition-ready appearance. On February 27, venue staff will carry out finishing touches, such as laying down carpets and affixing curling stone markings. During the actual events, large screens positioned around the rink will simultaneously display the precise trajectories of the curling stones, enhancing the overall viewing experience for fans.
It was introduced that the "Ice Cube" track was originally scheduled to meet the competition delivery standards by the 31st, but now there is a strong possibility it will achieve this milestone ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, several venues have gradually begun hosting official pre-competition training sessions. On the 27th, the Capital Indoor Stadium kicked off its first day of official training, with two-time World Figure Skating Championships bronze medalist Jin Boyang and rising star Zhu Yi among the first athletes to take part. Jin Boyang repeatedly practiced jumps and spins until the end of his 40-minute session.

Interior view of the Capital Gymnasium. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Junbao

The other venues across the three competition zones have all entered the final sprint phase ahead of the Games. In the Zhangjiakou zone, the visual and landscape arrangements inside the National Biathlon Center are nearly complete, with the start and finish gates fully set up, and all temporary structures undergoing their final touches. Meanwhile, in the Yanqing zone, the National Alpine Skiing Center—nicknamed "Snow Swallow"—will welcome athletes on the 3rd. The men’s downhill event will kick off with its first training session that day, marking the debut of Chinese athletes in this flagship event of the Winter Olympics.

        Media services are in place—high-speed cable cars boost daily commutes.
Media work is an important channel for spreading the Olympic spirit and showcasing the charm of the host cities. The Beijing Winter Olympics set a record for the highest-ever media quota in Winter Olympics history, with the total number of broadcasters, writers, and photographers exceeding 10,000. Currently, the media centers at all venues across the three competition zones have been completed and are gradually opening in the coming days. "We’ll be preparing small gifts for every journalist who arrives at the venues—real little surprises," revealed Yang Zhongtuan, News Operations Manager at the Genting Snow Park. He added that the park’s media center will officially open on the 30th.

A corner of the competition finish area at the National Alpine Skiing Center. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Qin'ou

Recently, media volunteers from multiple venues attended their introductory training sessions. On the morning of the 27th, the "Xueyoulong" National Bobsleigh and Skeleton Center welcomed its first group of 440 volunteers, selected from 13 institutions including China Agricultural University. During the Games, these volunteers will be deployed across 17 operational areas—such as public health, media operations, and event services—to provide support for eight key client groups, including media reporters. The day before, 62 volunteers specializing in media operations had already begun their roles at the National Cross-Country Skiing Center.
The mixed-zone area is a crucial space for media coverage during the Games. On the 27th, reporters at the Capital Indoor Stadium observed staff members repeatedly rehearsing athletes' exit routes and simulating the interview arrangements in the mixed zone. Meanwhile, at the Genting Snow Park, construction of the mixed zones for multiple ski courses is rapidly underway.

Mixed Media Zone at the National Cross-Country Skiing Center. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhou Wanpeng

“We have meticulously set up the mixed-zone area in strict accordance with the requirements of the International Olympic Committee and the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee, with a particular focus on providing premium spots for internationally recognized news agencies approved by the IOC, such as AFP, AP, Reuters, and Xinhua News Agency, as well as Getty Images,” said Yang Zhongtuan. This year’s Winter Olympics venues are spread across three competition zones, and the well-developed high-speed rail and highway networks have made it incredibly convenient for journalists to travel between locations. On February 21, the Beijing-Zhangjiakou High-Speed Railway’s Winter Olympics train officially began its scheduled transportation service, which will continue until March 16. From Qinghe Station, it takes just 26 minutes to reach Yanqing, 50 minutes to reach Taizicheng, and 65 minutes to arrive at Chongli Station.

The cable car system at the National Alpine Skiing Center. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xia Zilin

The cable car system at the National Alpine Skiing Center has also begun operation. For two consecutive days, reporters took the cable car from the Yanqing Olympic Village up the mountain, reaching the finish area of the competition events—located at an altitude of about 1,480 meters—in roughly 30 minutes. Notably, the cable car seats even come equipped with a heating function. It’s reported that the entire cable car system comprises nine aerial ropeways and two surface drag lifts, spanning a total length of approximately 10.3 kilometers. These lines seamlessly connect various areas within both the Yanqing Olympic Village (including the Paralympic Village) and the National Alpine Skiing Center.

        Pandemic prevention and rescue teams stand by, stepping up drills to ensure safety.
Facing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beijing Winter Olympics has implemented a closed-loop management system, ensuring that Olympic-related personnel remain completely separate from the general public. At the volunteer service training session held in the media operations area of the National Bobsleigh and Skeleton Center, media deputy director Peng Weixiang repeatedly emphasized to the volunteers the importance of strictly following the "Pandemic Prevention Manual." He urged them to carry out their volunteer duties while prioritizing personal health measures—and absolutely stressed that they must not venture into areas outside the closed loop.

Pandemic prevention supplies inside the Capital Gymnasium. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Junbao

The competition venues have already implemented designated pandemic prevention routes, ensuring that spectators outside the closed loop are kept separate from areas within it. Meanwhile, essential防疫 supplies have been fully stocked. At the Capital Indoor Stadium, reporters observed hand-sanitizing machines set up just outside the entrance. Once inside, temperature-checking devices promptly screen the body temperature of everyone entering the venue. On the tables near the entrance, masks and disposable gloves—ready for use—are neatly arranged for attendees. And conveniently placed hand sanitizers can be found every few steps along the way.
Snow sports account for 70 percent of the events at the Winter Olympics, and outdoor rescue operations are another key focus for venue staff. On the 26th, the National Alpine Skiing Center conducted a helicopter rescue drill. Yuan Qiang, Chief Physician of Spine Surgery at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital and Deputy Medical Officer for the National Alpine Skiing Center venue, noted that currently, the FOP (course rescue) team is fully prepared and on standby.

The FOP team from the National Alpine Skiing Center is learning how to use an automated external defibrillator. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xia Zilin.

"“Our team’s oldest member is 62 years old, and everyone on the team has the skiing skills necessary to safely navigate a glaciated snow course,” said Yuan Qiang. The team was established in 2018, and its medical staff includes specialists from various fields, such as orthopedics, neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, and dentistry. If an athlete gets injured on the course, our team can reach them within four minutes to assess the injury, provide immediate emergency care, and swiftly evacuate the athlete off the track—either to the medical station or directly to a hospital for treatment.” (Written by Wang Qin'ou; Contributing reporters: Ma Bangjie, Zhang Xiao, Yao Youming, Liu Yangtao, Xia Zilin, Lu Xianting, Wang Junbao, Wang Chunyan, Zhang Han, Zhu Yan, Zhao Xueting, Le Wenwan, Huang Xinxin, Wang Yan, Zhou Wanpeng, Sun Zhe, Huang Haoran, Yang Fan, Qin Jing, Liang Jinxiong, Tan Chang, Zhang Yueshan, and Ma Sijia)

Translated from Xinhua News Agency

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