International Olympic Committee (IOC) Olympic Games Executive Director, Christophe Dubi has suggested that a scheme is set to be introduced that will allow spectators to attend the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing, hoping venues will be able to operate at 30% capacity.
Set to commence this Friday, the presence of spectators at Beijing 2022 has been uncertain in the build-up to the Games as a result of the spread of the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus.
As with last year’s Tokyo Olympics, international fans have already been banned, while the IOC had previously announced that tickets for the Games would be placed on general sale exclusively to spectators residing in China’s mainland who meet the requirements of COVID-19 countermeasures.
However, last month, the Games Organising Committee announced that tickets would instead be distributed as part of an “adapted program” that will invite groups of spectators to attend events.
The program is believed to take into account that several Chinese cities as well as some Beijing neighbourhoods are closed following COVID-19 cases, including the Anzhenli community in district of Chaoyang, a key area for the Winter Olympics.
Nonetheless, Dubi expressed hope that some venues can still operate with spectators, commenting "there is going to be a scheme for spectators, which is going to be community-based, making sure we have a presence of spectators in the stands, and at the same time, having safety for all participants.
"They have a number of organisations, and especially sports organisations, which are organised by areas within Beijing, but there's going to be some follow-ups and testing in order to make sure that everyone that goes into the stand is certain that the person next to has also been cleared.
"In terms of capacity we are not there yet, because it has to be fine-tuned at a venue-by-venue basis, but I'd say if we have one person out of three [available spots] or out of two, that would already be a good result.
"It could also depend on whether it is outdoors or indoors.
"The great thing is that we are going to have spectators and this is not only for Chinese spectators but for Chinese residents, and we were very insistent on that.
“They are also reaching out to the expat community and making sure, through the embassies and other ways and means, to identify those who live in Beijing and could attend the Games.”
Beijing 2022 venues and the Olympic Villages are currently operating a "closed-loop management system" to ensure Games participants, officials and support staff are separated from the local population.
Dr Brian McCloskey, Chair of the Beijing 2022 Medical Expert Panel, said last week the final decision regarding the number of spectators would rest with Chinese authorities.
Images: Beijing's Wukesong Sports Centre (top) and the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing (below, credit: Populous).
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
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