Beijing Olympics to bring in more spectators

BEIJING: China planned to increase the number of spectators in Winter Olympics due to a 'controllable' COVID-19 situation in the closed loop, the Games organising committee said this week.

Beijing Organising Committee for the Winter Olympics (BOCOG) did not specify how many more spectators it will add to the events.

China did not sell tickets to the public amid concerns over the spread of the pandemic but selected a number of spectators from targeted groups of people who are required to undertake strict COVID prevention measures.

All spectators, who arrived at the venues on special transport, were required to do COVID-19 tests prior and after the events, Huang Chun, BOCOG's deputy Director-General of Pandemic Prevention and Control said.

BOCOG spokesperson Yan Jiarong on Friday (February 11) said at least 3,000 spectators watched the events in Beijing and Zhangjiakou in one day, and its initiative to allow spectators join the events was 'highly appreciated' by IOC and the athletes.

China did not sell tickets to the public amid concerns over the spread of the pandemic but selected a number of spectators from targeted groups of people who are required to undertake strict COVID prevention measures.