Beijing on Friday was named the host of the '22 Games, setting up the Chinese capital to "become the first city in history to stage both the Summer and Winter Games," according to Sam Borden of the N.Y. TIMES. Members of the IOC "voted in favor of Beijing over its lone competitor, Almaty, Kazakhstan," by a 44-40 count. The margin of victory was "far smaller than many observers had predicted given the success" of the '08 Games in Beijing and the "relative anonymity of Almaty in the sporting community." Voting was "conducted with traditional paper ballots after electronic devices failed." Beijing "won over the delegates with an elaborate plan that uses some well-known venues from the Summer Games ... in addition to relying on an intricate snow-making operation to account for the fact that its surrounding region has few mountains and, generally, little actual snow." Beijing presented the '22 Games as a "catalyst to help develop the mostly dormant interest in winter sports among the 300 million people in northern China." The city plans to stage the "so-called city events -- hockey, figure skating and speed skating -- downtown, while the sliding and skiing events will be held at venues in Yanqing, about 40 miles outside Beijing, and in Zhangjiakou, which is about 90 miles away. At the Olympic Green in Beijing, hundreds "gathered to celebrate the announcement." Many "waved giant Chinese flags, and dancers in red robes performed to traditional songs." But the celebration "seemed somewhat muted compared with the euphoria" of '01, when Beijing won its bid for '08" (NYTIMES.com, 7/31).
COMING UP JUST SHORT: The AFP's Tim Witcher notes Beijing had "been the strong favourite, presenting itself as a safe pair of hands against underdog Almaty." Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun said, "We represent the safest and most realistic choice." But Witcher noted Almaty "ate into China's support" on the IOC with an "impressive 'Keeping It Real' campaign that played on Beijing's reliance on artificial snow and the vast distances between its venues" (AFP, 7/31). The AP's Stephen Wilson notes Kazakhstan Prime Minister Karim Massimov "made a last-minute impassioned plea for the IOC to be 'brave' and give the games to his country." The contest was a "study in contrasts between the world's most populous nation and a former Soviet republic seeking to establish itself on the world stage" (AP, 7/31).
20/20 VISION: 3 WIRE SPORTS' Alan Abrahamson notes Friday’s vote, the "first major test of the 40-point Agenda 2020, revealed emphatically its major challenge: it is, in large measure, just so much noise until the IOC members actually follow its prescriptions." There is "only one way for the IOC to really walk the walk." Abrahamson: "Therein lies a huge opportunity for the U.S. Olympic Committee and, now, Los Angeles for 2024." Agenda 2020 "promotes sustainability and feasibility," and L.A. is "tailor-made for such a blueprint." Friday’s vote "spotlights the path by which L.A. not only can but should win" for '24. If L.A. "saved the Games in 1984, now L.A. can not only save the USOC but Agenda 2020." Based on chatter around Friday's vote in Malaysia, if L.A. bids, it would "immediately become a formidable 2024 contender -- with a real chance of winning" (3WIRESPORTS.com, 7/31).
