There were huge celebrations in the Chinese cities that will co-host the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Friday, after the International Olympics Committee announced the Asian giant’s winning bid just seven years after China hosted the summer games.
The iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing welcomed crowds once again as some 6,000 gathered to celebrate Beijing’s narrow victory over Kazakhstan in Friday's vote.
President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach announced the results at the 128th IOC session in Kuala Lumpur after both candidate cities gave an emphatic assurance of environmental protection and stated their economic goals.
Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the decision and praised the efforts all the delegates made during the bidding process. His colleague, Liu Yunshan, added that the 2022 event will also strengthen friendships between China and the rest of the world.
Pictures
Performers cheer ahead of IOC's announcement of the winner city for the 2022 winter Olympics bid, outside the Birds' Nest, also known as the National Stadium, in Beijing, China, July 31, 2015.Reuters
Sheep look out from a gate at a village near Dolomiti Mountain Resort in Chongli county of Zhangjiakou, which won the joint bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games with capital Beijing, July 31, 2015.Reuters
People cheer as they watch on a screen the IOC announcing Beijing as the winner city for the 2022 winter Olympics bid, outside the Birds' Nest, also known as the National Stadium, in Beijing, China, July 31, 2015.Reuters
Former Winter Olympic champions Shen Xue (R) y Zhao Hongbo react after it was revealed that China will host the 2022 Winter Olympics, July 31, 2015.Xinhua
People come together outside the Olympic Stadium to celebrate China's win in the Olympic Park in Beijing, July 31, 2015.Xinhua
A child waves a flag, July 31, 2015.Xinhua
China's vice premier of State Council and head of the Beijing 2022 delegation Liu Yandong (C) poses with residents of Kuala Lumpur, Malasia, July 31, 2015.Xinhua
Chongli county residents celebrate in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, which was chosen to co-host the games with capital Beijing, July 31, 2015.Xinhua
Chongli county residents celebrate in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, which was chosen to co-host the games with capital Beijing, July 31, 2015.Xinhua
People drum to celebrate China's win in the Olympic Park in Beijing, July 31, 2015.Xinhua
A woman dances as Chongli county residents celebrate in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, which was chosen to co-host the games with capital Beijing, July 31, 2015.Xinhua
Chongli county residents celebrate in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, which was chosen to co-host the games with capital Beijing, July 31, 2015.Xinhua
Students and teachers from the Sports University of Shenyang celebrate the Winter Olympics victory, Liaoning province, July 31, 2015.Xinhua