OlymPicks: Qualifiers Postponed, Beijing's "Ice Jar" Nearly Complete

In OlymPicks, we highlight news, gossip, and developments regarding the buildup to Beijing's 2022 Winter Olympics.

Olympic qualifiers postponed

Several sports that intended to hold their 2022 Olympic qualifiers this year are having to postpone qualifying rounds on account of the COVID-19.

Originally, a point system that was to combine performances at the 2020 and 2021 Tokyo Olympics was meant to determine the 2022 qualifiers, but that option is no longer on the table now that this year's competition has been permanently canceled.

Instead, the World Curling Federation has proposed using the results of the 2021 World Curling Championships alone to determine which countries will send their curlers to Beijing. That places extra pressure on countries like Canada (where the competition is due to be held) and Sweden, who typically land a spot on the Olympic curling podium because poor performance at a single event could cost them their qualification.

Meanwhile, ice hockey qualifiers were meant to be held in August of this year, but have now been postponed until August 2021, to be held in Norway. The host city is yet to be decided.

"Ice Jar" training center nearly completed

Beijing's Winter Olympic training center for track speed skating and curling has now been fitted with two brand new ice rinks. Known colloquially as the "Ice Jar," the remainder of the facility is expected to complete its construction by the end of May.

Despite the pandemic, construction on the 33,200sqm building resumed in February. Located next to the Capital Skating Gymnasium just outside the National Library Subway Station (Lines 4 and 9), its exterior resembles a smooth trapezoid whose designers may or may not have taken design tips from one of Zaha Hadid's numerous Soho buildings around town.

Digital currency to be ready for Olympics

China plans to roll out its much-anticipated cryptocurrency by in time for the 2022 Olympics, the Central Bank has announced. The timing will allow an influx of international visitors to easily exchange currency digitally upon arrival in Beijing.

The currency has already entered the trial stage sooner than expected, and some anticipate that the official app will be launched well before the Olympics.

Reportedly, the digital currency is already planned for use in distributing transportation subsidies for Suzhou municipal employees as early as this month.

Crypto-watchers have taken note that as China pours its resources into the effort, Facebook’s Libra has all but sputtered out.

READ: Lose the Mask for Outdoor Sports but Keep Them on for Subway Rides, Says Beijing CDC

Images: Curling Canada, Xinhua