(Photo from Beijing Youth Daily)
On July 9, 2022 the National Speed Skating Oval, also known as the Ice Ribbon, was officially open to the public. On the opening day, Zhang Shaohui, General Manager of the National Speed Skating Oval, came to the venue early and greeted the first group of visitors at the ticket gate, while Wu Xiaonan, Deputy General Manager of the Beijing State-Owned Assets Management Co., Ltd., and Chairman of the National Speed Skating Oval, provided service to visitors and handed them skates and protective gears in the FOP area, welcoming them to experience the "fastest ice" in Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
The National Speed Skating Oval, also known as the Ice Ribbon, is the only newly built ice competition venue in Beijing Zone for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Since 2017, the National Speed Skating Oval has gone through six construction stages before turning the "ice ribbon" on the drawing into the speed skating oval for the 2022 Winter Olympics. As a landmark building, it made a memorable debut on this special occasion. Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics has left us with a rich legacy. To apply the legacy to venue operation in the post-Olympic era, the National Speed Skating Oval has rapidly changed its operation mode to present the authentic Winter Olympic scenes, spread the spirit, create a new landmark for winter sports, and welcome visitors from all over the world.
Reproducing the authentic Winter Olympic scenes
Visitors can set foot on the "fastest ice" to feel the charm of the Winter Olympics in the National Speed Skating Oval, which is open to the public.
(Photo from Beijing Youth Daily)
(Photo from Beijing Daily)
Spreading the Spirit of the Winter Olympics
In addition to the tangible heritage of the Winter Olympics in terms of economy and industry, the intangible heritage facilitates cultural transmission and inspires minds. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that in the process of bidding, organizing and hosting the Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, China has fostered “the spirit of bearing in mind the big picture, being confident and open, rising to the challenges, pursuing excellence, and creating a better future together."
(Photo from Xinhua News Agency)
(Photo from Beijing Youth Daily)
The National Speed Skating Oval inherits and passes on the spirit of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics after successfully hosting speed skating events. After the event, the builders quickly changed the operation mode during the competition to the post-competition operation stage. Fearless of danger and difficulty, the team actively promoted the conversion, carefully designed the visiting routes, well-planned the equipment and facilities, and established a sound system and process, managing to create a safe, comfortable and happy environment for visitors.
China has hosted the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics successfully, which has greatly stimulated the sports enthusiasm of hundreds of millions of Chinese, realizing the goal to "engage 300 million people in ice and snow activities", and opening a new era for China's ice and snow sports. We should make good use of the legacy of the Winter Olympics, pass on the spirit, popularize ice and snow sports, and promote the in-depth development of national fitness campaign. The National Speed Skating Oval will also contribute to the long-term sustainable development of the initiative to "engage 300 million people in ice and snow activities". Adhering to the concept of comprehensive and low-carbon utilization, it will serve as an ice and snow sports center integrating sports events, mass fitness, cultural leisure, exhibitions and presentations, social activities for public good, and other functions, and become an important window to showcase the unique charm of Chinese culture and a gorgeous "name card" to demonstrate the development of ice and snow sports in China.
