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Agence France-Presse

Beijing 2022 organisers were “pressing ahead” with preparations for the Winter Olympics on Friday after a senior IOC official warned the coronavirus could force the Games to be postponed.
Dick Pound, a former International Olympic Committee vice-president, said this week that all options would have to be considered if the Beijing Games cannot be held in 2022.
Beijing is due to host the Winter Olympics just six months after the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games, which have been put back a year to July-August 2021 because of the coronavirus.
However, with the pandemic showing no signs of receding, Japanese and IOC officials have raised fears that the Tokyo Olympics may have to be cancelled altogether.

Olympics: no Tokyo Games likely means no Beijing either, says IOC chief Dick Pound
“To get to that point, where you decide you can’t do it [Beijing] in 2022, you explore whatever options you can do,” Pound said in an interview.
“If we’re in Tokyo, things all may be ready for Beijing. On the other hand, they may not be,” he added.
In a statement, Beijing 2022 said the IOC is ploughing on with both Games as planned, despite the coronavirus still claiming lives in much of the world.

“As far as we know, the position of the IOC is very clear and remains unchanged,” Beijing organisers said.
“They are fully concentrated and committed to the successful delivery” of both the Tokyo and Beijing Games, they added.
China, where the coronavirus emerged late last year before spreading worldwide, has largely brought the contagion under control despite periodic localised new clusters.

However, Chinese authorities have ruled out hosting most international sports events this year – with the exception of 2022 trials – as part of measures to prevent a resurgence.
“At present, Beijing 2022 is implementing strict prevention and control measures against Covid-19, while pressing ahead with the Games preparations in an orderly manner,” organisers added.
“All competition venues are expected to finish construction as scheduled by the end of this year.
“It is our firm belief that we will remain committed to safeguarding the health and safety of the athletes, every participant involved in the Olympic Games and the international community.”



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IOC (International Olympic Committee)

Beijing 2022 Games ‘pressing ahead’ despite coronavirus threat and concerns about Tokyo Olympics in 2021

Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic mascot Bing Dwen Dwen (left) and 2022 Winter Paralympic Games mascot (Shuey Rong Rong) are revealed during a ceremony in Beijing in September. Photo: AP

A view of the National Speed Skating Oval (NSSO), nick-named as Ice Ribbon, under construction for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on Sep. 24, 2019. 24SEP19 SCMP/Simon Song

(200224) -- BEIJING, Feb. 24, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Jiandong (2nd R), Vice Mayor of Beijing and Executive Vice President of Beijing 2022, attends the Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) World Broadcaster Meeting (WBM) online at Shougang headquarters in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 24, 2020. Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) World Broadcaster Meeting (WBM) was held in Madrid on Monday to discuss the coverage of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, attended by 172 representatives from the International Olympic Committee, OBS and Rights Holding Broadcasters (RHB) around the world. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

(200713) -- BEIJING, July 13, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on July 13, 2020 shows the countdown device of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 in a building of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Winter Olympics at Shougang's old industrial park in Beijing, capital of China. The countdown device was unveiled on Monday. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Olympics: no Tokyo Games likely means no Beijing either, says IOC chief Dick Pound

The countdown is already on to the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua

‘Gold or nothing’: China’s skeleton coach says foreign coaches expected to deliver Olympic glory at Beijing 2022

China's Geng Wenqiang takes part in a training session for the men's skeleton event at the Olympic Sliding Centre. Photo: AFP

Sui Wenjing and Han Cong of China react as their scores are posted following their performance in the pairs free skate figure skating final in the Gangneung Ice Arena at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

(180211) -- PYEONGCHANG, Feb. 11, 2018 (Xinhua) -- China's Wang Rui (R) and Ba Dexin compete during the curling mixed doubles round robin session 7 against Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten from Norway at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games at the Gangneung Curling Centre in Gangneung, South Korea, on Feb. 11, 2018. China won 9-3. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

epa06557558 Gold medalist Wu Dajing of China during the medal ceremony for the men's 500m Short Track event at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games, South Korea, 23 February 2018. EPA-EFE/DIEGO AZUBEL

Short Track Speed Skating Events - Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics - Men's 500m Quarterfinals - Gangneung Ice Arena - Gangneung, South Korea - February 22, 2018 - Han Tianyu of China and Seo Yi-ra of South Korea crash. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

(180213) -- PYEONGCHANG, Feb. 13, 2018 (Xinhua) -- China's Liu Jiayu celebrates after ladies' halfpipe final of snowboard at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games at Phoenix Snow Park in PyeongChang, South Korea, on Feb. 13, 2018. Liu Jiayu won the silver medal with 89.75 points. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

Driver Shao Yijun, Shi Hao, Li Chunjian and Wang Sidong of China take a curve in the second heat of the four-man bobsled competition at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

Sport

China


The reassurance comes days after former IOC vice-president Dick Pound said the Beijing Games would not happen if the Tokyo Olympics are cancelled
China sports authorities have ruled out hosting most sports events for the rest of 2020 because of a resurgence of the coronavirus in the region



China sports authorities have ruled out hosting most sports events for the rest of 2020 because of a resurgence of the coronavirus in the region


Beijing 2022 Games ‘pressing ahead’ despite coronavirus threat and concerns about Tokyo Olympics in 2021

The reassurance comes days after former IOC vice-president Dick Pound said the Beijing Games would not happen if the Tokyo Olympics are cancelled China sports authorities have ruled out hosting most sports events for the rest of 2020 because of a resurgence of the coronavirus in the region

The reassurance comes days after former IOC vice-president Dick Pound said the Beijing Games would not happen if the Tokyo Olympics are cancelled

China sports authorities have ruled out hosting most sports events for the rest of 2020 because of a resurgence of the coronavirus in the region