(ANSA) - BEIJING, OCTOBER 20 - The Olympic flame has arrived in China ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, after the ignition ceremony held in Greece and obscured by protests in defense of human rights.
The Chinese capital, destined to be the first venue in the world to host the Summer and Winter Games, has seen the preparations marked by the prevention measures against the Covid-19 pandemic and by requests for a boycott due to the violation of rights in the country, which in recent years has seen activist groups focus primarily on Xinjiange and the fate of its Muslim Uyghur minority.
Beijing is planning a welcome ceremony for the flame at the Olympic Tower in the capital in the morning, where it will be displayed to the public before leaving for a promotional and exhibition tour.
About 2,900 athletes, representing 85 National Olympic Committees, are expected to compete in the Games that will be held from 4 to 20 February next.
(HANDLE).
