Direct entry for Chinese ice hockey teams in 2022

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01:12

In a major boost to Beijing’s preparations for the 2022 Winter Olympics, the International Ice Hockey Federation has given a green light for the Chinese ice hockey teams to take part in the games to be held on their home soil.

At the first session of the IIHF Annual Congress, underway in Copenhagen, Denmark, it was decided that as the host nation of the 2022 Winter Games, China's men's and women's teams won’t have to go through the qualifiers and will automatically enter the Olympic hockey tournament in 2022.

The men’s ice hockey tournament is planned with 12 teams while the discussions are still going on for the women’s contest, which could expand from eight to ten teams. In 2019, the Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship will be played with ten teams for the first time.

IIHF President Rene Fasel attends the plenary session of the 2nd meeting of the IOC Coordination Commission of the XXIV Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 on June 13, 2017 in Beijing. /VCG File Photo

Since Beijing was awarded the 2022 Winter Olympics, various winter sports, including ice hockey, have seen an increase in popularity in China. The hockey program has gone through restructuring with an ice hockey federation that is separate from the ice sports center and is now headed by Cao Weidong.

“There are only four years until the 2022 Winter Olympics. We must take some measures to promote the development of Chinese ice hockey as soon as possible. China has also reached out abroad for support both to players of Chinese origin abroad and also to other organizations.

"We will send more Chinese players abroad to learn from the strong teams. I hope through these efforts China's hockey teams can get good results at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics,” Cao said after the IIHF decision to grant China direct entry.

The Chinese men’s team is ranked 33rd in the world and the women’s team 20th.