Anticipation builds as Beijing starts 500-day countdown for 2022 Games

A ceremony is held to mark the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games' 500-day countdown, Beijing, China, September 20, 2020. /VCG

With 500 days to go until the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, Beijing organizers are marking the day with a variety of cultural activities to build anticipation for the extravaganza, which opens on February 4 and runs through February 20.

A bunch of children sang the hymns at foot of the Badaling Great Wall, while artists specializing in paper-cutting displayed their ingenious works against the backdrop of the colorful lights.

The beginning of the countdown means Beijing is now entering the final lap for the preparations for the eagerly awaited event.

The flag of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games is seen on the Badaling Great Wall, Badaling, Beijing, China, September 20, 2020. /VCG

Despite COVID-19 headwinds, planning has not seen any major delays. Earlier this month, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach also heaped praise on the Beijing organizers, who repeatedly stressed that they would try their utmost to push forward the preparations for Olympics and make sure the preparations are "done in time and up to standard."

"The IOC continues to be impressed by the progress of the preparations, and we are all looking forward to writing this new chapter in China's great sporting history," said Bach via videolink on the World Winter Sports Expo in Beijing.

It's a view echoed by Juan Antonio Samaranch, who chairs the IOC Coordination Commission for Beijing 2022.

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, speaks glowingly about the organizers of the 2022 Beijing Games. /VCG

"Despite the difficulties over the last months, we are happy to recognize the big advance of the Beijing 2022 project," he beamed. "The team has been extremely proficient and capable of delivering the progress in the organization of the Games."

"This is a great opportunity and a great occasion to amplify their really successful legacy from Beijing 2008 Summer Games. Beijing and China did very well in that occasion," he added.

"Now in winter 2022, future generations of Chinese and worldwide winter sports lovers will benefit from this and will experience the success and the access to winter sports like never before," he concluded.

Meanwhile, the organizers confirmed that all ice rinks set to be used at the 2022 Games will be ready for ice production by the end of the year. There are 13 venues planned in the Beijing competition zone, with 10 of them set to be completed by the end of the year.