Cuba's María Caridad Colón describes as spectacular the celebration of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, an event she is attending as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Havana, February 7 (RHC/JIT)-- Cuba's María Caridad Colón describes as spectacular the celebration of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, an event she is attending as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Speaking to JIT from the venue of the Games, which began last Friday, the 1980 Moscow Olympic javelin champion had only words of praise for what has been seen so far in the Chinese capital.
"The level of organization is perfect, it has no other qualifier. Everything is in function of the Games with a perfection that amazes, from the schedules, transportation, security for those who participate," she said, despite the fact that for her the experience of multidisciplinary events is not new, first as an athlete and then as a manager.
"Everything works in a total bubble system to avoid the contagion of covid-19, and the opening ceremony was wonderful," acknowledged Maria Caridad, who like the rest of the IOC members participated in the 139th IOC Session and visits different competition venues every day.
"There are still some work meetings in commissions to be held, but the sessions we have already had were fruitful, with interesting topics discussed, such as the intention to continue developing the empowerment of women, the fight against doping and the ratification of the program for Los Angeles 2028", explained the first Olympic champion from Latin America.
Beijing is the only city that has so far hosted both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. As an example to the world it is leaving the convenience of reusing facilities and sending a message that it is possible to organize major events and at the same time contribute to environmental sustainability.
"I've been very impressed with the reforestation you see here. We see how the open areas of the city have improved in that sense and the pollution, which was so annoying on other occasions I had visited this country, has been eliminated," acknowledged Maria Caridad.
The theme of appealing to renewable energy and thus contributing to sustainable development has been among the main priorities of the organizers, who also recognize the boom in winter sports in their country.
Almost 3,000 competitors from 91 National Olympic Committees have arrived at the current edition of the winter event, more than 19,000 volunteers are participating in its organization -all included in the bubble system to combat covid-19-, and it is being held in the midst of the unjust diplomatic boycott promoted by the U.S. government, joined by some Western nations.
So far, it is successfully overcoming the challenge, supported by most of the nations of the world, whose solidarity is in tune with the clear message promoted by a competition in which inclusion and environmental development are also fundamental premises.
