IOC thanks Beijing 2022 for memorable Olympic Winter Games
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) expressed its gratitude to the Beijing 2022 Organising Committee at a thank-you event organised at the Big Air venue in Shougang Park in Beijing today.
During the ceremony, the Olympic Order in Gold – the IOC’s highest honour for individuals – was presented by IOC President Thomas Bach to Sun Chunlan, Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, responsible for the anti-COVID management of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, and Cai Qi, President of the Organising Committee for the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.
In addition, Thomas Bach presented the Olympic Order in Silver to the following individuals who made significant contributions to the delivery of the Games:
-
Gou Zhongwen, President of the Chinese Olympic Committee, Executive President of the Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022;
-
Chen Jining, Executive President of the Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022;
-
Wang Zhengpu, Executive Vice President of the Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022;
-
Zhang Jiandong, Executive Vice President of the Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022; and
-
Han Zirong, Vice President and Secretary General of the Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.
The IOC’s Beijing 2022 Coordination Commission Chair, Juan Antonio Samaranch, took the opportunity to thank the thousands of Beijing 2022 workforce and volunteers, many of whom have been living inside the closed loop while delivering the Games.
He said: “You and all your teams have done incredible work to tackle the different challenges. You have always been responsible, responsive and efficient to all our requests. Thanks for your strong commitment and dedication. You ensured that these Olympic Winter Games were memorable.”
President Qi, from the Organising Committee, concluded: “As the first city to host both summer and winter Olympic Games, Beijing 2022 will go down in history. We will continue to work with the IOC to spread the Olympic spirit, enhance inclusiveness and mutual understanding, promote friendship and solidarity, and jointly shape a better future.”