Final inspection Beijing 2022

Nordic Combined Race Director Lasse Ottesen visited the venue of the Olympic Winter Games 2022 for a final inspection last week.

Together with LOC and Cross-Country representatives, Ottesen examined the newly built Ski Jumping and Cross-Country skiing facilities in Zhangjiakou/China, 200 km northwest of Beijing.

Ski Jumping venue

“My last visit was in November 2020, and it is great and impressive to see the fantastic work that has been done since then", Ottesen commented on the work of the organizers of Beijing 2022. The Race Director visited the area for the first time in 2017 and has been part of the development of both venues since then. 
“It was very special to see the hill and course almost completed now and ready for the Olympic Winter Games 2022.”

The athletes village on the top of the hill includes a lounge in the 2nd floor, as well as a warm up area. The “Peak Club” is also located in the circle-shaped tower and will serve as a VIP lounge for the President of China during the Olympic Winter Games.

“The Kuyangshu Nordic Center has one of the most beautiful and spectacular Ski Jumping venues in the world”, says Ottesen about the futuristic HS106 and HS140 that will receive their certificates in the next days.

The outrun, which is surrounded by a stadium with a capacity of 15.000 spectators, is used as a soccer field in summer time.

Cross-Country venue

The Cross-Country venue is located a 5-10 minute walk away from the Ski Jumping hills. All tracks have been homologated and built exclusively for Beijing 2022.

The 2.5km Nordic Combined course, that lies on average 1750 m above sea level, is equipped with floodlights for the evening events. 
“It meets with all the rules and regulations and has a very nice flow with some exiting curves”, explains Ottesen. “Especially the final lap, in which the athletes will have to go around the whole stadium into the finish, will be a highlight.”

The main building, which not only houses the FIS and jury offices but also the Olympic Family lounge, is brand new and on the latest technical standard.
Athlete will be able to enter the stadium from their village and service area through a tunnel.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the first and only Nordic Combined test event will take place in form of a Continental Cup in the beginning of December. 
“It will be the only test event before Beijing 2022 and is therefore very important for all stakeholders as the final test before the start of the Olympic Winter Games in February”, says Ottesen.

The Nordic Combined Continental Cup takes place on 04./05. December 2021, together with Ski Jumping.