With 100 days left for the start of the Beijing Winter Games, the climate among the organizers is far from relaxed.
The protests of human rights activists, accused by the government of wanting to "politicize sport" are not troubling.
Almost two years after the first cases recorded in Wuhan, it is the Covid-19 pandemic that continues to scare.
For this reason, protecting the Winter Olympics from the virus is the "greatest challenge": those who do not respect the anti-epidemic measures will have to face the consequences of the case, including disqualification, Zhang Jiandong, executive vice president of the organizing committee of Beijing 2022.
China is battling an epidemic that has seen millions of people invited to stay home to contain small outbreaks, mass testing in at least 11 provinces and the blocking of many flights and trains. In short, the strict rules imposed "can reduce the risks and impact of Covid-19", but they must be respected.
Words addressed first of all to the 2,900 Olympic athletes, who will have to be fully vaccinated or face the 21-day quarantine upon arrival in the Chinese capital.
Meanwhile, the headquarters of the Olympics are ready and "all preparations have been completed": the opening of the winter Olympic village is scheduled for January 27th. The construction of mobile laboratories has already begun to be able to manage up to 40,000 anti-Covid tests per day. The Games, which will take place from 4 to 20 February, will use some of the 2008 venues, including the Bird's Nest National Stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies. However, only people living in China will be able to participate in these events and competitions.
The organizing committee also unveiled the medals.
"Based on the principle that the two Winter Games are equally magnificent, the Olympic and Paralympic medals are inspired by the same concept," said the organizers. The Olympic ones, called 'Tongxin', which means 'Together as one', are characterized by five concentric rings. In addition to symbolizing the Olympic circles, they embody the traditional Chinese philosophy of harmony between heaven, earth and humans. The surrounding rings mimic the trails of the stars, with 24 points representing the 24th edition of the Winter Olympic Games. The overall image, which resembles a celestial map, carries the wish that the athletes achieve excellence and shine like stars at the Games.
Stars that will have to respect the anti-contagion bubble,under penalty of disqualification.