2022 Winter Olympics: China will not sell tickets but will invite spectators

The pressure is mounting.

In less than 3 weeks - on February 4 - the Winter Olympics will take off in Beijing's National Stadium, also known as the “Bird's Nest”.

China will then be - and until February 20 - the center of world sport.

All eyes will be on her.

But a few days before this event, the health situation worries and worsens in the country.

The number of Covid-19 cases in China also reached its highest level since March 2020 on Monday.

Due to a “complicated” epidemic situation, the organizing committee of the Beijing Winter Olympics therefore announced on Monday the cancellation of the sale of tickets to the general public while promising, however, to welcome spectators by invitation.

China to present streamlined, safe, splendid Winter Games: Xi #DavosAgenda #WinterOlympics #Beijing2022 https://t.co/N92fI8QGNc pic.twitter.com/HHr2BlLq3b

— CCTV+ (@CCTV_Plus) January 17, 2022

“In order to protect the health and safety of staff and spectators (…), it has been decided to adjust the initial ticket sales plan and (instead) to organize the arrival of spectators at the competition sites. “, he said in a press release.

Strict health bubble between athletes and the local population

Many Chinese had shown their interest in attending the events and were waiting for the opening of the ticket offices.

It will therefore be necessary to show credentials – negative tests and perhaps proof of an up-to-date vaccination – to claim one of the precious sesame tickets to sit in the stands of Beijing.

The Chinese authorities, which have implemented a draconian policy of zero tolerance for the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic on their territory at the end of 2019, have already prohibited access to their soil to the foreign public.

Already, in January, they had announced the establishment of a strict sanitary bubble to avoid any contact between the athletes and the local population.