China News Service, Beijing, February 5th (Reporter Zhang Su, Chen Hang, Xu Pengpeng) During the lighting session of the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, a total of 6 torches were relayed, and 7 torchbearers carried out the relay.
Chang Yu, head of the opening and closing ceremonies work department of the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee, told Chinese and foreign media on the 5th that the choice of torchbearers stemmed from the creativity of the director team, and they hoped to show "inheritance" in the ignition.
Because inheritance is an important Chinese cultural concept, and Chinese civilization is passed down from generation to generation in this way.
Conference site.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Li Jun
Chang Yu said that the director team selected athletes born in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s in turn, and finally decided that the "post-00s" would take over.
In the process of choosing the torchbearer, the team also discussed with the relevant departments and strictly followed the IOC's regulations, which is not to communicate with the torchbearer candidates until the final approval is confirmed.
Until the end of last month, the torchbearers were invited to rehearse, and everyone felt that the effect was very good.
They also end up passing on that good feeling to the world.
At the press conference, reporters asked questions about the personal situation of the torchbearers. Mark Adams, spokesman for the International Olympic Committee, said in response to the inquiry that according to the Olympic Charter, the International Olympic Committee will not judge athletes because of their background or where they come from. There will be no discrimination and no "safety checks".
He emphasized, "They can participate in the torch relay, and these torchbearers are very good athletes." He also said that the last torchbearers are athletes participating in this Winter Olympics and are qualified to undertake the "ignition" work. .