Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the massive legacy of the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, noting the Games helped engage more than 300 million people in winter sports and served as a catalyst to promote sustainable economic growth not only in Beijing but in areas surrounding the Chinese capital. 

"Since China won the bid to host the Games, we have constructed a large number of top-notch ice and snow sports venues and facilities, and organized a series of popular winter sports events," Xi said during an awards ceremony on Friday that celebrated Beijing 2022 Games heroes.