Beijing makes last pitch in bidding for 2022 Winter Games

Beijing highlighted environmental improvements since the Summer Olympics in 2008 in its final presentation to the IOC before voting today to determine which city will be awarded the 2022 Winter Games.

Beijing mayor Wang Anshun told the IOC delegates that the 2008 Beijing Games "served as an impetus" to make improvements costing USD 130 billion to enhance air quality in the city.

He also said the city had removed more than 1 million high-emission vehicles from its roads. Beijing is bidding to be the first city to stage both Summer and Winter OIympics.

Chinese Olympic Committee President Liu Peng told the IOC that snow-making facilities in the mountains would have minimal impact on the environment.
 

The IOC will vote between Beijing and Almaty, Kazakhstan.