Mary Omatiga

The 2022 Winter Olympics are set to take place on Friday, February 4 through Sunday, February 20 in Beijing, China, just six months after the Tokyo Games. Approximately 3,000 athletes are expected to compete from roughly 95 nations and 45% of those athletes are expected to be female, marking the highest percentage in the history of the Olympic Winter Games.

Mikaela Shiffrin, Nathan Chen, and Shaun White are just a few of the big stars that are expected to represent Team USA at the Beijing Winter Games. Shiffrin, a two-time Olympic gold medalist from Edwards, Colorado, competed in five total events at the 2014 and 2018 Olympic Winter Games combined, however, the Beijing schedule makes it possible that she could compete in five events in 2022. Chen, a native of Salt Lake City, is the three-time reigning world champion in men’s singles. Despite a shaky start to the season at Skate America, Chen remains the favorite for gold if he skates at his best. White, a three-time Olympic gold medalist from Carlsbad, California, could become the first snowboarder ever to win four career Olympic medals.

Events of Winter Olympics 2022
Alpine Skiing
Biathlon
Bobsled
Cross-Country Skiing
Curling
Figure Skating
Freestyle Skiing
Hockey
Luge
Nordic Combined
Short Track
Skeleton
Ski Jumping
Snowboarding
Speed Skating
Venues
Events will be contested across three zones: Beijing, Yanqing, and Zhangjiakou. The ice sports will be held in central Beijing, China’s capital, as well as four snow events (snowboard big air and freestyle skiing big air, men’s and women’s). The Opening and Closing Ceremonies will also take place in Beijing. Yanqing, a mountainous suburb of China’s capital located approximately 75 km (46.6 miles) northwest of Beijing’s city center, will host Alpine skiing and sliding events (bobsleigh, skeleton, and luge) and will also be the home of the Olympic Athletes’ village. Zhangjiakou, located approximately 180 kilometers northwest of Beijing (111.8 miles) will host the majority of the ski and snowboarding events including freestyle, cross-country, ski jumping, Nordic combined, and biathlon.
Nearly 3,000 athletes are expected to compete from an estimate of 95 nations and over 45% of those athletes will likely be female–that’s the highest percentage in the history of the Olympic Winter Games.
The U.S. finished fourth on the medal table in PyeongChang and is expected to fare a similar result in Beijing with familiar faces likely to be in the lineup–Shaun White (Carlsbad, California), Mikaela Shiffrin (Edwards, Colorado), and Nathan Chen (Salt Lake City, Utah). However, the Americans’ medal chances have the potential to increase with the return of NHL stars.
The International Olympic Committee announced in September 2021 that only “spectators residing in China’s mainland, who meet the requirements of the COVID-19 countermeasures” will be allowed to attend the Games. Specific requirements will be announced at a later time.
The 2022 Winter Olympics will air live on the networks of NBC and can be streamed on digital platforms including NBCSports.com and Peacock.

(Yahoo Sports)