Confidence is rising that a vote this summer “will place Beijing as the first city ever to host both the summer and winter editions” of the Olympics, according to Calum MacLeod of USA TODAY. The success of the ’08 Summer Games “combined with China's economic and organizational clout make the city a clear favorite" to host the '22 Winter Games "after European candidates withdrew, leaving the Kazakh city Almaty as the only rival.” China's bid “quoted a 2014 survey that found almost 95% of respondents supported hosting a Winter Olympics.” The main Olympic stadium from the ’08 Games -- dubbed the Bird's Nest -- “would host the opening and closing ceremonies” in ’22. The aquatics center from ’08 -- dubbed the Water Cube -- “would be transformed into a curling arena,” while other stadiums “would be remodeled for skating and hockey." Still, "almost half the venues would be new.” Ski and sliding programs “are set for distant, hilly areas with greater snowfall northwest of the city, including co-host Zhangjiakou,” located 120 miles from Beijing. Average snow depth there “during the time of the proposed Games is a measly 8.3 inches and just 2 inches in Yanqing district's alpine skiing zone, which would host some events.” But bid committee Publicity Department Chief Wang Hui on Friday said that snow conditions “would be more than adequate because the venues have ample water resources for snow-making despite concerns about north China's low water levels” (USA TODAY, 1/19).
