Vice-Premier leads Games bidders back from Kuala Lumpur

BEIJING, Aug. 2 -- Vice-Premier Liu Yandong led the Beijing Winter Olympic Games bid team back home from Kuala Lumpur Sunday afeternoon after the Chinese capital was awarded the 2022 Winter Games.

The vice-premier and her team were met at Capital International Airport by Li Zhanshu, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, Guo Jinlong, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, State Councilor Yang Jing and a group of ranking officials, along with 500 people from all walks of life.

Speaking at a ceremony in honor of the delegation, Liu gave a brief review of the team's work in Kuala Lumpur and said China will fulfill all the commitments and witness the advent of a new phase in the development of the Olympic winter sports and in the promotion of the Olympic spirit.

Liu also pledged that China would work hard to prepare for an athlete's centered, sustainable and economical Games in 2022 in seven years to come.

Guo, also Beijing's Party chief, give his thanks to the bid team and noted that the successful bidding also marked a beginning of preparations for the 2022 Games.

Guo also expressed his determination and confidence about presenting a fantastic, extraordinary and excellent Winter Olympics.

Beijing won 44 nods against Almaty's 40 in the IOC voting with one abstention last Firday, becoming the first ever city to host both summer and winter Olympics.