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The wait is finally over. Some 2,380 days after being selected as the host city, Beijing has at last raised the curtain on the 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

The event is expected to bring together 2,900 athletes from 91 countries and regions to vie for 109 gold medals, a record in the 98-year history of the Winter Olympics.

More than 30 state leaders, members of the royal family and heads of international organizations, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, were among the dignitaries attending the opening ceremony at the Bird’s Nest on Friday.
 

Chinese national flag is relayed during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)Artists perform before the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)The Chinese national flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)

Photo taken on Feb. 4, 2022 shows the Olympic rings during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)

The Olympic delegation of Greece parade into the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

The Olympic delegation of the People

Photo taken on Feb. 4, 2022 shows an electronic screen displaying “The Opening Ceremony” during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Wang Jingqiang)

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach addresses the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ga)

Artists stage the performance “Forming a Snowflake” during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

Fireworks illuminate the night sky during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Lu Ye)

Torch bearers Su Bingtian (L) and Zhou Yang attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Published : February 05, 2022

By : Xinhua

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International participants were impressed by the opening ceremony of Beijing 2022, which featured incredible light shows and spectacular fireworks.

The Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games officially commenced on Friday, and the opening ceremony, as the curtain raiser to the Games, won much praise from overseas participants.

With incredible light shows and spectacular fireworks, delegations from 91 countries and regions gathered in the National Stadium, or the Bird’s Nest, to witness the Chinese capital becoming the first ever dual Olympic city in the world.

“We all looked forward with great anticipation to an exciting opening ceremony. It is very different but is as exciting as Beijing 2008,” said International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, who joined the crowd and watched the ceremony featuring an estimated 3,000 performers.

“It’s a big show, and is the evolution of Beijing 2008,” exclaimed Gianni Merlo, president of International Sports Press Association. He had been impressed by the magnificence of the Summer Games ceremony, and gave applause to the streamlined new one.

Seated among reporters of media outlets from all over the world, Masaru Komatsu with Tokyo Sports Press constantly pulled out his cell phone to shoot the remarkable moments.

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)

“Though it’s very cold tonight in Beijing, I can feel the fervor of spectators on site, and I am going to write a story about how exciting the opening ceremony is,” said the 30-year-old. “I love the design of the countdown with fireworks, and the blue and green fireworks seem to brighten up the winter.”

Maarten Delvaux, a Belgian journalist who had reported the Tokyo Summer Olympics and some international football events, felt thrilled to see the performances on site, as Beijing 2022 marks his first Winter Olympics and first visit to China.

“Beijing 2008 had a massive ceremony,” Delvaux said. “This one is a little bit smaller, but I think it kind of delves more into Chinese cultural elements.”

Athletes of the participating countries and regions paraded into the ceremony, ordered by the number of strokes of Chinese characters, and Claudia Pechstein, one of Germany’s most successful athletes, proudly carried the German flag amid loud cheers.

Artists perform before the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

“To carry our flag is a great honor, it is somehow the dot on the ‘i.’ It means more to me than all of my medals I won so far,” the 49-year-old, who is to compete in her eighth Winter Olympics, said in an interview with Xinhua.

“It’s really a modern and low-carbon ceremony,” said Russia’s Yulia Temelidi, a 19-year-old volunteer serving the Games. “I was so touched by the wonderful shows, and I am so proud to be part of it.” 

Published : February 05, 2022

By : Xinhua

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Olympic flame illuminates the National Stadium at the Beijing 2022 opening ceremony.

The Olympic flame now illuminates the National Stadium where the Opening Ceremony of Beijing 2022 was held in the evening of the same day as the first of China’s 24 solar terms, the Beginning of Spring on February 4.

A large snowflake which evolved into a cauldron, slowly rose up from the center of the venue, surrounded by children each holding a peace dove in their hands. The snowflake has six angles of olive branches, with 91 smaller snowflakes representing the 91 countries and regions participating in the Games.

For the first time in the Olympic history, the cauldron depicts a shared dream of the world as it echoes Beijing 2022’s official motto – Together for a Shared Future.

“We can only write this new chapter in sporting history, because of our gracious hosts – the Chinese people, whom we thank wholeheartedly for welcoming all of us so warmly,” said IOC president Thomas Bach.

To dynamic music, the torch with the flame ignited at the birth place of the Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, was first relayed from former speed skater Zhao Weichang born in 1950s to other four athletes respectively born in 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, symbolizing the passing-on of winter sports from generation to generation.

Then, Dinigeer Yilamujiang, a female cross-country skier, and Zhao Jiawen, a male Nordic combined athlete, both born in the 2000s, held the torch together and walked forward to put the torch in the heart of the snowflake which rose above the Bird’s Nest to symbolize the start of the Beijing Games.

Torch bearers Dinigeer Yilamujiang (L) and Zhao Jiawen set the torch into the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. (Xinhua/Li Ga)

Never in the Olympic history since Athens 1896 has had such an amazing imagination to ignite the cauldron.

“It astonished me, not just because the snowflake is beautiful, but the way of lightening the cauldron has never been used in the previous Olympics,” said Paul Robinson, a technician with Reuters.

As a tradition, the flame would keep burning until the closing ceremony to symbolize the everlasting Olympic spirit, but it would cost a large consumption of fossil fuels, which is not eco-friendly, said Zhang Yimou who also acted as opening ceremony director at Beijing 2008.

“I have been thinking maybe we could make some reform on this to express the concept of low-carbon development in the new era,” said Zhang. “I believe that if we don’t do this, our later generations will have to.”

Against the background of climate change and global-warming, China who has promised to have CO2 emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, has translated its pledge into concrete actions.

Photo taken on Feb. 4, 2022 shows a cauldron holding the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

Beijing, the first-ever city to host both summer and winter Olympics, has experienced tremendous change from winning the world’s attention with grandeur in 2008 to lightening a green future for mankind in 2022.

Various venues built for the 2008 Summer Olympics have been transformed for the 2022 Winter Games. Carbon dioxide refrigerants were introduced for ice-making in an effort to reduce damage to the ozone layer.

The opening ceremony has astonished the world in its unique way, with Beijing writing a new chapter of a green Olympics for the future of the mankind. 

Published : February 05, 2022

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A birdie spree helped Thai golfer Phachara Khongwatmai share seventh place with six others after the first round of the PIF Saudi International on Thursday.

Phachara shot a first-round 65 to tie for seventh with defending champion Dustin Johnson, Joohyung Kim, Shiv Kapur, Joaquin Niemann, and Matthew Wolff.

Photo Credit : Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour

Phachara unleashed six birdies in a row to stay in contention for a shot at the title.

“I feel I am very close to everything coming together. Maybe I need to work more on my fitness and consistency, but everything feels good. It’s a good start and I am excited to start the season this way,” Phachara said.

The 22-year-old golfer had won the Laguna Phuket Championship at the end of 2021, his maiden triumph on the Asian Tour, before finishing the season at fourth on the Merit list.

Compatriot Sadom Kaewkanjana, winner of the Singapore Open, fired a 68 and Jazz Janewattananond is in a tie at 32nd.

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Meanwhile, Matteo Manassero from Italy was in first place in round 1 after he shot a 62.

Published : February 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

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Choi Young-seok was granted Thai citizenship on Thursday, seven months after leading Thailand to its historic first taekwondo gold medal at the Olympics.

Coach Choi, 47, achieved his long-held dream of becoming Thai when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha signed the order granting his new nationality at Government House.

Born in South Korea on April 30, 1974, Choi began his career in Thailand 20 years ago when the Kingdom’s taekwondo athletes were barely known on the international stage.

Over the next two decades he built Thailand into a taekwondo superpower, culminating in glory last summer in Tokyo where Panipak Wongpattanakit won the Kingdom’s first-ever taekwondo Olympic gold.

Choi began his career coaching the Bahrain national taekwondo team in 2000 on a salary of US$4,000 per month. A year and a half later, he returned to South Korea on leave after his mother passed away. Having had enough of the desert heat, he sent his junior to work in Bahrain and began to look for work elsewhere.

The Taekwondo Association of Thailand got in touch and Choi agreed to help what was then a promising team of young Thai martial artists.

Related News

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Amid the trappings of success, Panipak does not forget her first coach

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His first big success came in 2004, when Yaowapa Boorapolchai made history by becoming the Kingdom’s first-ever taekwondo Olympic medallist, winning bronze in Athens.

Choi was awarded the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn at the Foreign Ministry in reward for his efforts at the 2004 Games. He also adopted the unofficial Thai name Chaiyasak.

Four years later, Choi helped Buttree Puedpong grab silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Gold medals for Sarita Phongsri, Chutchawal Khawlaor and Chanatip Sonkham followed at the 2010 Asian Games, before Thailand announced itself as a new taekwondo global power at the 2011 World Championships in South Korea. Rangsiya Nisaisom won Thailand’s first-ever women’s world title, at lightweight (62kg), while Chutchawal Khawlaor grabbed the men’s finweight (54kg) gold medal.

Chanatip also won a bronze at the 2012 London Olympics but followed up by clinching the world title (49kg) a year later in Mexico.

Panipak first shot to fame by winning the women’s finweight (54 kg) title at the 2015 World Championships in Russia. Tawin Hanprab won silver in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil before Panipak secured Thailand’s first Olympic taekwondo gold last year.

In between, Choi was named best coach at the 2011 Korea Open after helping Thailand bag 6 golds, 1 silver, and 5 bronze medals in the home of taekwondo.

Published : February 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

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The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has removed Thailand from its non-compliant list, lifting an international ban against the Kingdom.

WADA declared Thailand non-compliant in October for failing to update anti-doping laws in line with its 2021 code. Non-compliance meant the country was banned from holding, or flying its flag at, international tournaments. As a result, the Badminton Association of Thailand flag was raised instead of the Thai national flag when mixed doubles team Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai won their first BWF World Championships in Spain in December.

Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) governor Gongsak Yodmani said WADA executives voted unanimously on Wednesday to remove Thailand from the non-compliance list after the Kingdom amended its Sports Doping Control Act of 2012.

“This is good news for Thailand’s sports industry,” Gongsak said.

Tipanan Sirichana, of the Prime Minister

The ban’s lifting was the result of actions by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

“This shows Prayut and Prawit’s efforts [were successful] in enabling Thailand to fly the national flag and play the national anthem at tournaments while not being disqualified from hosting international competitions,” said a statement from the office.

Related stories:

• Thailand flag flying at Beijing Olympics as 4 Thai skiers eye glory
• Ban on Thailand hosting global sports events lifted next month
• Changes to Thailand’s anti-doping law go through

Published : February 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

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China lost the Czech Republic 3-1 in the opener of the women’s ice hockey tournament at Beijing 2022.

Newcomer the Czech Republic breezed over host China 3-1 in the opener of the women’s ice hockey tournament at Beijing 2022, while Japan beat Sweden with the same scoreline in Group B here on Thursday.

The Czech women finished with 36 shots on goal, compared to 14 shots from China who is competing in its fourth Olympics.

Tereza Radova put the Czech Republic ahead at 10:38, Denisa Krizova followed suit at 23:57.

After China seized the opportunity to pull one back on a powerplay by Mi Le at 29:02, Michaela Pejzlova made the third goal at 6:27 of the third period to ensure the victory for the Czech Republic.

“It was a very tough matchup for us. I was pleased that we competed from start to finish,” said the Chinese team head coach Brian Idalski.

“They were good at forechecking and were big, strong players with good shots. I wasn’t expecting that good game,” noted Radova.

Later on Thursday, resilient Japan beat Sweden 3-1, with the last scored one minute before the end of the game.

“It’s such a shame with this defeat that ends like this,” said Swedish forward Michelle Lowenhielm.

“We just need to get that fighting spirit going and do the job all the way,” she added.

In Group A, Canada crushed Switzerland 12-1, and the United States beat Finland 5-2. 

Published : February 04, 2022

By : Xinhua

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Reinier de Ridder Defends ONE Middleweight World Title Against ONE Welterweight World Champion Kiamrian Abbasov in Main Event

ONE Championship™ (ONE) has announced the complete lineup for ONE: FULL CIRCLE, which broadcasts live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday, 25 February.

In the main event, reigning two-division ONE World Champion Reinier de Ridder will defend his middleweight crown against ONE Welterweight World Champion Kiamrian Abbasov.

In the co-main event, reigning ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Champion Roman Kryklia will defend his gold against top contender Murat Aygun. In addition, ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Petchmorakot Petchyindee will defend his strap against #1-ranked Jamal Yusupov.

Also appearing at ONE: FULL CIRCLE is former two-division ONE World Champion Aung La N Sang, who takes on former middleweight king Vitaly Bigdash in a trilogy bout.

The ONE: FULL CIRCLE lead card broadcasts live on 25 February at 6 p.m. Singapore Standard Time (SGT). The main card broadcasts live at 8:30 p.m. SGT.

Check your local listings for the global broadcast in over 150 countries. The event is also available on ONE’s YouTube channel and the ONE Super App (some regions excluded).

ONE: FULL CIRCLE 
Friday, 25 February 2022

MAIN CARD

ONE Middleweight World Championship 
(C) Reinier de Ridder vs. Kiamrian Abbasov 
Middleweight: 84.0 KG – 93.0 KG

ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Championship 
(C) Roman Kryklia vs. Murat Aygun 
Light Heavyweight: 93.1 KG – 102.1 KG

ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship 
(C) Petchmorakot Petchyindee vs. (1) Jamal Yusupov 
Featherweight: 65.9 KG – 70.3 KG

Mixed Martial Arts 
Aung La N Sang vs. Vitaly Bigdash 
Middleweight: 84.0 KG – 93.0 KG

Kickboxing 
Enriko Kehl vs. (5) Tayfun Ozcan 
Featherweight: 65.9 KG – 70.3 KG

Mixed Martial Arts 
(4) Fabricio Andrade vs. Jeremy Pacatiw 
Bantamweight: 61.3 KG – 65.8 KG

LEAD CARD

Mixed Martial Arts 
Leandro Ataides vs. David Branch 
Middleweight: 84.0 KG – 93.0 KG

Kickboxing 
Guto Inocente vs. Bruno Susano 
Heavyweight: 102.2 KG – 120.2 KG

Mixed Martial Arts 
Zebaztian Kadestam vs. Valmir Da Silva 
Welterweight: 77.2 KG – 83.9 KG

Muay Thai 
Chris Shaw vs. Vladimir Kuzmin 
Bantamweight: 61.3 KG – 65.8 KG

Muay Thai 
Diandra Martin vs. Smilla Sundell 
Catchweight: 58.0 KG

Mixed Martial Arts 
Yuri Simoes vs. Daniyal Zainalov 
Middleweight: 84.0 KG – 93.0 KG

Kickboxing 
Jiduo Yibu vs. Daniel Puertas 
Flyweight: 56.8 KG – 61.2 KG

Mixed Martial Arts 
Rahul Raju vs. Drex Zamboanga 
Lightweight: 70.4 KG – 77.1 KG

Published : February 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

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English football giants Manchester United and Liverpool will play a one-off friendly game in Thailand on July 12, noted football columnist Bebangpakong posted on his Facebook on Tuesday.

He said he had confirmed information that the match would be played at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok.

He said the match has been arranged by Vinij Lertratanachai Fresh Air Festival Co Ltd. The company is expected to sign a contract with these two clubs this week.

Both clubs enjoy a huge following in Thailand.

Bebangpakong said the press conference will be held at the beginning of March. Both Manchester United and Liverpool will send their executives and former players who are club ambassadors to the press event.

He added that it was confirmed Manchester United would be sending the club’s legend, Bryan Robson, to the press conference.

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Published : February 02, 2022

By : THE NATION

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Liechtenstein, Europe’s fourth-smallest state and the world’s sixth-smallest, will be represented by two athletes in the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

As a double-landlocked country located between Switzerland and Austria, Liechtenstein, Europe’s fourth-smallest state and the world’s sixth-smallest, will be represented by two athletes in the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

FIRST IMPRESSION: WELL-ORGANIZED

“My first impression is that the Olympic villages are really nice,” Christof Baer, chef de mission of the Liechtenstein Olympic Committee, told Xinhua in a video interview.

The three Olympic villages officially opened their doors to athletes and team officials on January 27, where Baer and his compatriots will stay for the coming weeks.

In addition to one in the urban area of Beijing, two other Olympic villages are located in nearby snow-capped mountainous areas, including one in Yanqing, a northern outer suburb of Beijing, and Zhangjiakou, a city in Hebei Province around 200km northwest of Beijing.

“I’m currently in Yanqing village but have already visited the one in Zhangjiakou as well. They’re impressively built and perfectly equipped,” Baer said.

Despite occasional difficulties with languages, Baer, from a German-speaking motherland, found that the volunteers for the Games are “very friendly, very helpful.” The Chinese-food-lover is also satisfied with the menu, which also includes western food, even kosher and halal.

“Of course, there are inevitable challenges, but I think that the Beijing 2022 organizing committee and the Chinese people themselves are willing to learn from the experts and give their best for the Games,” he said.

photo, taken on Jan. 25, 2022, shows the Great Wall made with ice at the Olympic village in Yanqing zone. (Christof Baer)

COVID-19: DAILY TESTING AGAINST VIRUS

China has put in place strict prevention and control measures, as part of its “dynamic zero-case” approach, to fend off COVID-19 infection risks as the highly contagious Omicron variant spreads across the world.

During the Games, strict pandemic prevention measures have also been adopted to protect the athletes. Each member of every delegation had to undergo a thorough health check-up and two PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests prior to their departure.

Facing a recent resurgence of cases in Beijing, although only single-digit numbers of daily cases most of the times, the municipal government has taken resolute steps to ensure the health and safety of all personnel participating at Beijing 2022.

“Because of the pandemic, the Olympic Games are definitely different,” Baer said. “But in the end, it’s a unique experience for me and for every single athlete and coach.”

Upon his arrival in Beijing, a COVID-19 test was performed at the airport, followed by a brief quarantine pending a negative result.

“Then there is daily PCR testing for every single participant,” Baer explained.

Christof Baer took a selfie on Jan. 28, 2022, at the Olympic village in Yanqing zone. (Christof Baer)

FROM LIECHTENSTEIN TO BEIJING

At the opening ceremony, the flag of Liechtenstein, home to around 38,500 people, will be carried by its two athletes present, cross-country skier Nina Riedener and Alpine skier Marco Pfiffner.

It will be Riedener’s Olympic debut, while Pfiffner will represent his country, which is located in the heart of Europe’s Alpine region, in the Winter Olympics for the third time after Sochi in 2014 and PyeongChang in 2018.

“We’re a small delegation, we’re a small country, so we’re happy and also proud to have these athletes,” Baer said. “Even if they don’t win a medal, they have worked very hard to get here and will give everything they have out there.”

After Beijing, Baer’s Olympic mission will be far from finished. “We are also preparing our young athletes for the European Youth Olympic Festival in March.”

CHINESE VIBE

Coinciding with the 2022 Spring Festival marking the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese lunar calendar, which falls on February 1 this year, the Beijing Winter Olympics has been seen with shared cultural connotations, as they both celebrate togetherness and harmony.

The Olympic villages have also been decorated with Chinese elements and artworks, such as an ice sculpture of the Great Wall in the Yanqing village.

“There are lamps and posters everywhere. It makes us really aware that we are in China here,” he said.

The Yanqing District, where the Badaling section of the Great Wall is located, is one of the competition zones during the Winter Olympics. The district has prepared lectures and performances for overseas guests.

However, the athletes did not come to China to party but rather “to compete,” said the mission chief. 

Published : February 01, 2022

By : Xinhua