Olympics & Paralympics

Beijing revs up preparations for Winter Games 1 month before start

The Yomiuri Shimbun
The National Stadium in Beijing is lit up during a lighting test Monday night.

By Koki Kataoka / Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondent

14:55 JST, January 4, 2022

BEIJING — Tuesday marked the one-month point prior to the start of the Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Strict infection control measures are in place in Beijing as final preparations and checks for the Games are underway.

Lighting tests are conducted every day at Beijing’s National Stadium, nicknamed the Bird’s Nest, to illuminate the structure’s exterior in various colors. The stadium is a popular tourist spot in the Chinese capital, but only a few people were in the area as the building has been closed to the public since late November for security reasons and infection control measures.

The opening and closing ceremonies will be held at the Bird’s Nest.

Similar to the Tokyo Games last summer, Beijing is implementing the bubble system to avoid contact between Games’ participants and the public. Athletes and staff who have not been vaccinated are required to isolate for 21 days after arrival in Beijing, a measure that Tokyo did not implement.