Chinese President Xi Jinping heaped praise on the heroes behind the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, commending their keen sense of responsibility in making the showpiece events a success and bringing a confident and open China to the fore. 

"All individuals involved in bidding, preparing and hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have fostered a Beijing 2022 spirit," Xi said during an awards ceremony in Beijing on Friday in recognition of the role models' contributions.