THE Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee yesterday announced that the Main Media Center has been put into operation and introduced two spokespersons to the public at a ceremony held at its Shougang headquarters.

Beijing 2022 vice president and secretary-general Han Zirong introduced Zhao Weidong and Yan Jiarong as spokespersons at the ceremony. The two will join the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) spokespersons in hosting Games-time press briefings.

“It’s my honor to become a spokesperson for Beijing 2022 and at the same time I can feel the pressure and responsibility,” said Zhao. “The spokespersons will provide professional, timely and quality media service with transparency.”

“We are looking forward to the journalists, home and abroad, to telling the stories of the athletes and the Games, and presenting the world the passion and glamor of winter sports, helping promote winter sports around the globe,” Yan said.

The two spokespersons also attended a group interview to provide the latest updates on the Games and answered questions from the media.

“China is ready,” said Zhao in the interview. “We have been in close cooperation with the IOC, IPC and relevant parties in coordinating pandemic prevention and control and pushing forward the preparations. So far, everything goes smoothly. We are ready!”

As Zhao introduced, Beijing 2022 venues and relative infrastructures are completed as scheduled and well-operated.

He also emphasized the progress made in COVID-19 countermeasures, milestone events and sustainability and legacy of the Games.

“A successful Games is not possible without COVID-19 prevention and control,” he said.

Yan elaborated measures Beijing 2022 will adopt to provide Olympic-standard media service. “We welcome media to cover the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in accordance with laws and regulations. With the challenges brought by the pandemic, it is the media that bring the passion and stories of the athletes and the Games to people around the world.”

(Xinhua)