Olympic Decision Day ... The Journey So Far

Today is decision day for the 2022 Winter Olympics, marking the point when the International Olympic Committee will finally choose between Beijing and Almaty after two years since the cities were named candidates. So as to understand  the journey both Beijing and Almaty have had to travel to get to this point, we've listed the best of our Olympic blogs in chronological order, up to this big day. Enjoy.
 

Here We Go Again: Beijing Bids for 2022 Winter Olympic Games
In November 2013, the Chinese Olympic Committee officially threw Beijing's hat in the ring, along with nearby city Zhangjiakou, to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. After the highly successful 2008 Games, a bid for the Winter Olympics seemed obvious. Harbin appeared like a more likely potential venue, but only Beijing and Zhangjiakou applied for the honor domestically, and given their proximity, were given the award jointly.

Beijing's 2022 Winter Olympic Dreams Grow Brighter as Krakow Drops Bid, 4 Cities Left
Get ready for Beijing Olympics 2022 ... as we prognosticated in February, we think Beijing's already a lock for hosting the 2022 Winter Games, and the dream came one step closer to reality this week as one of the five remaining bidders – Krakow, Poland – has dropped out after 70 percent of its citizens voted "no" on a referendum on holding the games.
 

Ukraine Bails, 2022 Winter Olympics Now Down to Beijing and Two Other Candidates
Another one bites the dust: News earlier this week indicates Lviv, Ukraine has become the third of 6 potential hosts to withdraw its bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics, leaving Beijing as one of three still vying to host the games (and the only one that we believe has a chance in Hell).
 

And Then There Were Two: Oslo Pulls Out of '22 Winter Olympics Bid, Leaving Beijing vs Almaty
It became a two-city slalom in October 2014: Oslo, Norway, officially dropped out of competition to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, due to concerns over cost and the majority of Norwegians opposing the bid. That leaves only Almaty, Kazakhstan, and our favorite city, Beijing, still pushing to host the Games.

Beijing, Almaty Agree on One Thing: 2022 Olympic Games Dates
The two rivals bidding for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games agree on one thing: when it should be held. Clear your calendars for February 4-20, 2022 because that's when the Games will be held, regardless of host. The dates have already caused a bit of controversy, as the sham 2022 World Cup in Qatar could be scheduled at that same time. The World Cup, normally a summer event, will be held in the winter or late autumn to avoid the sweltering heat of the Middle Eastern summer.

No Snow? No Big Deal Says Beijing on Winter Olympics Bid
In the winter of 2013-2014, Beijing received but a dusting of snow. Should that affect its chances of hosting the Winter Olympics in 2022? No way!

Yao Ming to Serve as Beijing 2022 Games Bid Ambassador
One of our favorite people, Yao Ming, will serve as an ambassador for Beijing's bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics, along with five other athletes we're pretty sure we've never heard of.

Beijing Downgrades its 2022 Olympic Hosting Chances to 50-50
China's state-run press is occasionally good for unintentionally amusing statements, but a comment in Wednesday's Global Times regarding Beijing's prospects for hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics left us shaking our heads more than holding our sides.

Public Support for Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Bid at Almost 95 Percent
Almost 95 percent of the residents of Beijing and nearby Zhangjiakou support the two cities' joint bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, in stark contrast to the four European nations that dropped out of contention in the face of public opposition.

Advantage Beijing: China's Capital Looking Good After Olympic Committee's Final Evaluation
Air pollution and a shortage of natural snow were among concerns raised by the International Olympic Organization (IOC) about Beijing's bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics, when it released its final assessments Monday of both Beijing's and Almaty's proposals.
 

The Beijinger's Unofficial Olympic Inspection Tour of Almaty
On Friday, July 31, Beijing and Zhangjiakou will end a 21-month effort to become the joint hosts of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Those Games will be held February 4-20, 2022, no matter who hosts them. Beijing has a 50-50 chance of winning, as it is competing only against Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan, and still that country's largest city.

International Olympic Committee to Choose 2022 Olympic Winter Games Host Friday
And finally, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will select the host city of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games during the 128th IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday, July 31, choosing between Beijing and Almaty, Kazakhstan.

For the final results and to read more, check out the 2022 Olympic Winter Games page and stay with us throughout the day as the final presentations are made and results are announced.

More stories by this author here.
Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
Instagram: s.xuagram

Photo: ibtimes.co.uk