Hosting the Olympic Winter Games will bring a rare opportunity to develop China’s winter sports programs, Zhao Yinggang, vice secretary general of Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games Bid Committee, told the People’s Daily during an interview in Kuala Lumpur.

Zhao said that with the rapid development of the economy in recent years, China also has made strides in both competitive and amateur athletics. Though still behind its Summer Olympics programs, China hopes to step up the development of winter sports through hosting the Games.

“If we have the opportunity to host the Olympic Winter Games, we can narrow this gap, improve our performance in winter events and expand the scale of winter events to meet people’s demands.” Zhao said.

He added that by hosting the Games, China will gain a rare opportunity to develop its performance in winter events.

Zhao explained that among the 102 events in the Winter Olympics, China has programs for only 72.

“Hosting the Olympic Winter Games will sharpen China’s competitive edge as well as further develop its infrastructure for the Olympic Winter Games,” he said.

Zhao also indicated that hosting the Olympic Winter Games would propel the development of amateur sports. He said that current programs aiming to spark interest in winter sports among Chinese youth would reach even more people with the hosting of the Games.

Zhao noted that he is confident that substantial achievement will be made in carrying out the program that aims to inspire 300 million people to participate in winter sports.