Beijing wins 2022 Winter Olympic Games

*Chinese applaud the decision/Reuters

BEIJING: Despite concerns around the city's chronic smog, human rights record – and lack of snow – Beijing has won the

right to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, becoming the first city to host both the summer and winter editions of the Games.

Beijing, which emerged as an unlikely favourite in the vote after numerous cities steeped in winter sports tradition dropped out the bidding process, beat out its sole competitor in the vote – Almaty, Kazakhstan. 

The International Olympic Committee awarded the Games to Beijing in a ballot held in Kuala Lumpur.

Beijing plans to repurpose a number of the iconic buildings that hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics, including the Bird's Nest Stadium and the Water Cube, for indoor ice events like speed skating, ice hockey and curling.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/beijing-wins-2022-winter-olympic-games-in-choice-between-imperfect-bids-20150731-gip5th.html#ixzz3hTGgyVAa