On 16 November, the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Youth Olympic Winter Camp was held at the Chongli Overseas Chinese Ice-Snow Museum in Zhangjiakou City of Hebei Province. The winter camp is part of the youth Olympic education programme of the 15^th Beijing Olympic City Sports Culture Festival. Ji Chuanpai, a member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Beijing Olympic City Development Centre, and Qin Jibin, Deputy Director-General of the Zhangjiakou Municipal Bureau of Sports, delivered speeches at the ceremony.

(A group photo at the opening ceremony)

Ji Chuanpai said in his speech that the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Youth Olympic Winter Camp is an important measure to implement President Xi Jinping’s instructions on making full use of the Olympic legacy, and it provides a great platform for youngsters from Beijing and Zhangjiakou to interact with each other, learn from each other and grow together. He hoped that the students could be actively engaged in various activities in the winter camp, dare to challenge themselves and experience the joy and challenges of winter sports, while immersing themselves in the Olympic culture and carrying on the Olympic Spirit. The winter camp will definitely help the students expand their horizons, gain new knowledge and make good friends, he said. He also reminded the students to follow the instructions of the coaches and protect their personal safety.

(Ji Chuanpai gives a speech)

Qin Jibin introduced that after the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, Zhangjiakou has vigorously carried out the campaign to bring winter sports into campus and winter Olympic Culture into classrooms and taken effective measures to consolidate and improve the development achievements and quality of winter sports. The city has made full use of the indoor and outdoor space of the Olympic venues, exploited the brand influence of the Olympic Winter Games and tapped into the distinctive cultural resources of the Olympic venues and surrounding areas. He hoped that the young participants in the winter camp could feel, experience and perceive the charm of the Olympic Movement themselves.

(Qin Jibin delivers a speech)

At the Opening Ceremony, the camper representatives were presented the “Little Winter Sports Ambassador” certificates by Liu Ying, head of the Project Department of the Beijing Olympic City Development Centre; Wang Jinmei, head of the Zhangjiakou Olympic City Development Centre; Zhao Yongqiang, General Manager of the Chongli Overseas Chinese Ice-Snow Museum; and Zou Zhongqiao, Deputy General Manager of the Culture and Tourism Department of Fulong Ski Resort.

(Camper representatives are presented the “Little Winter Sports Ambassador” certificates)

The Opening Ceremony was infused with a lively and joyful ambiance. Ji Chuanpai and Qin Jibin presented flags to the camper representatives, encouraging the students to actively participate in the activities, bravely challenge themselves and always surpass themselves.

(Flag Presentation Ceremony)

Following the Opening Ceremony, the students took their first shots with skiing. Under the guidance and instruction of the coaches, they hit the slopes with courage, embracing the thrill of speeding across the snow.

(Ski camp)

(Ski camp)

In addition to sports experience activities, the winter camp also featured an Olympic education mini-class where the technical officials of the Beijing 2022 Games shared their personal experiences. The students also watched several fantastic sports films. They learned about the origin and development of the Olympic Movement, as well as the spirit and values embedded in the Olympic Movement, thus gaining new perspectives and deepening their understanding of the Olympics Spirit.

(A group photo of students after the lecture given by technical officials of the Beijing 2022 Games)

(Students watch sports films)

A total of 60 youngsters from Beijing and Zhangjiakou participate in the winter camp. The event is hosted by the Beijing Olympic City Development Association and organised by the Beijing Olympic City Development Centre, with strong support from the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports and the Zhangjiakou Municipal Bureau of Sports.