With just over 100 days to go until the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, the three-day Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy was launched at the Capital Indoor Stadium on October 13. It was followed by the 2021-2022 ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating that lasts until October 24, giving the organizers a chance to further assess their operating plans and shore up COVID-19 prevention protocols.

During the past four years, the Capital Indoor Stadium has been undergoing renovation while maintaining its original outlook.

"Seating capacity has been reduced from 18,000 to 15,000, as we have added more handicapped seating and expanded the width of each seat to ensure more comfort," said Ding Dong, director of the Capital Indoor Stadium.

Ding added that the video display system has been upgraded to provide a better experience for the crowd. Furthermore, the venue is now equipped with the newest cooling system, a consistent temperature and humidity system to comply with the notion of a "Green Olympics". 

Throughout the two test events, the Capital Indoor Stadium will receive 280 athletes from nearly 40 countries and regions. As the whole world is still battling against the COVID-19 pandemic, to fully execute the closed-loop management during the competitions (as to protect everyone's well-being) is a big challenge.

In terms of coronavirus prevention measures, Ding said that foreign athletes have to go through a series of health tests and prevention rules for entering China, including a 48-hour negative nucleic acid test result. Upon arriving, athletes will enter a closed loop, but they will not go through a 21-day quarantine.

In addition, the stadium will stay alert as well in terms of taking countermeasures against uncertainties, constantly raising people's awareness to protect themselves from COVID-19 during the test events.