Beijing Winter Olympics: 100 days to go until opening ceremonies

The opening ceremonies for the 2022 Beijing Olympics are 100 days out, and the Games will likely have some similarities to Tokyo last summer.

With the dust barely settled on the recent Summer Games, a reminder came Wednesday that the next Olympiad is fast approaching.

The opening ceremonies for the 2022 Beijing Olympics are 100 days out, and the Games will likely have some similarities to Tokyo last summer.

The presence of COVID-19 restrictions will again be a constant theme. And just like Tokyo, athletes will participate after enduring dramatic changes to their training, travel and overall preparation for the Games due to the pandemic.

The Beijing Olympics will begin Feb. 4, just six months after the closing ceremony capped a Summer Games that was postponed a year because of COVID-19.

“This is a very, very quick turnaround for us,” said Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker. “That’s by and large behind the scenes but it also means that there’s a group of athletes who are qualifying for the Games still that have their Olympic dreams.

“Their pursuit is to be realized in February and we have to work very quickly with them in a very short period of time to help them realize those dreams.”

Events in Tokyo were held in mostly empty venues. Fans will be allowed in Beijing but spectators from outside mainland China will not be allowed to attend.

Organizers plan to use a so-called bubble setup for athletes, media, officials and Games workers to try to limit potential infections. The Olympics will run through Feb. 20 and the Paralympics are set for March 3-14.