BEIJING: The emblems of the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, respectively named “Winter Dream” and “Flight”, were unveiled here in an impressive ceremony on Friday.

The emblem launching ceremony was held at the National Aquatic Center, dubbed the “Water Cube” which staged the swimming events during the Beijing 2008 Games. In 2022, this venue will be transformed into an ice rink for curling games.

The unveiling came at 20:22 Beijing time, a number meant to mark the year 2022. Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Vice-President Yu Zaiqing and athlete representatives were present to officially launch the emblem of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games under the name “Winter Dream”.

Vice-Premier Liu Yan­dong, Secretary of the Communist Party of China Beijing Municipal Comm­ittee and President of the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee Cai Qi, and Paralympic athlete representatives followed by launching the emblem of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.

“The emblems of Beijing 2022 combine Chinese culture, an international, modern style and winter sports together.

They vividly manifest China’s national spirit, contemporary image and cultural charm, display the passion, youth and vitality of winter sports, convey the athlete’s spirit of going beyond themselves and expresses the glorious anticipation of 1.3 billion Chinese people toward Beijing 2022,” said Cai at the launch ceremony.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2017