Beijing will host the ‘22 Games after it defeated Almaty, Kazakhstan, 44-40 in secret ballot voting today at the IOC’s annual session in Malaysia. Beijing becomes the first city to host both a Summer and Winter Games, overcoming doubts about its climate to sway the IOC. Much of its plans rely on extensive artificial snow manufacturing. However, the city successfully pitched itself as a predictable, safe choice that can easily host major events. The vote was closer than most experts had expected. “I think this close vote is actually a good thing, and I think we need to learn from Almaty to improve our own bid," said Chinese Olympic Committee President Liu Peng.
During their final presentation to the IOC members, Beijing officials pledged to tackle a $130B plan to mitigate air pollution and stressed the economic opportunity provided by hosting the Games in the world's second largest economy and biggest population. The successful Chinese contingent included former NBAer Yao Ming, Chinese IOC member Yu Zaiqing, Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun and Vice Premier Liu Yandong.
The IOC has embraced an Asian tone recently, with the ‘18 PyeongChang and ’20 Tokyo Games slated for cities within 1,300 miles of each other.
