The World Winter Sports (Beijing) Expo 2020 (WWSE 2020) opened in Beijing on September 5, 2020. Thomas Bach, president of International Olympic Committee (IOC), extended congratulations in his video speech and said: “Holding the Expo in the Olympic city of Beijing sends a strong signal of confidence. The world of sport is ready to contribute to the recovery from the crisis and to rebuilding a more human-centered and inclusive society.”

Thomas Bach delivers a speech through video.

The WWSE 2020, focusing on winter sports, was organized as one of the theme exhibitions at the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS). Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., chair of the Coordination Commission for the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, and senior officials of international winter sport organizations participated in the opening ceremony online.

“Because of the unprecedented global coronavirus pandemic, we are all living with much uncertainty. We are still learning every day about the impact of this global crisis on all aspects of our lives,” Bach said, adding that holding the Expo in the Olympic city of Beijing sends a strong signal of confidence. The world of sport is ready to contribute to the recovery from the crisis and to rebuilding a more human centered and inclusive society.

“Sports and physical activity contribute directly to physical and mental health. Sport has great social significance by being the glue which bonds communities together,” he said, adding that sport also has great economic significance by creating jobs and promoting commercial activities.

“In short, sport is contributing to the recovery from the crisis on the health, social and economic side.”

Bach’s speech echoed the theme of the WWSE 2020, “The Power of Ice & Snow”, and highlighted the contribution of sports to the recovery from the crisis.“The expo is also an important step as China gets ready to welcome the world’s best winter sports athletes in 2022,” he said.

He added that the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing would be a unique opportunity to inspire a new generation with the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, respect and solidarity which he believes are more important than ever in today’s vulnerable world.

“The IOC continues to be impressed by the progress of the preparations. And we are all looking forward to writing this new chapter in China’s great sporting history, together with all of you.”