Beijing, China, February 21, 2022: The Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia, Husain Al Musallam, has congratulated China on the successful hosting of the Olympic Winter Games and the participation of Asia’s National Olympic Committees.
He also highlighted the prominent role female athletes had played in the success of the Asian NOCs and in contributing to gender equity in athlete participation.
As the Winter Olympics draw to a close on Sunday evening, Mr Al Musallam said: “First of all I would like to congratulate China on hosting a very successful Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 and on becoming the first city in Olympic history to host the Olympic Games in 2008 and Olympic Winter Games.
“These Olympic Winter Games have provided the platform for the athletes to thrill the world with their outstanding performances and achievements.
“The organising committee faced many challenges over the past two years due to the global pandemic, but they have been able to manage the conditions and stage a memorable Winter Olympics with outstanding competition venues and services for the athletes.
“Beijing 2022 brings to an end Asia’s Olympic Games hosting hat-trick, which began with the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in 2018 and continued with Tokyo 2020 last summer. The OCA is very proud of Asia’s hosting capabilities, and the IOC can always rely on Asia as a trusted partner in the Olympic movement.”
Mr Al Musallam pointed out that 18 Asian NOCs were among the 91 teams taking part, and the participation of southeast Asian countries Thailand, the Philippines, Timor-Leste and Malaysia reflected the OCA’s promotion and development of winter sports through the Asian Winter Games, first held in 1986.
“We were also delighted to see Saudi Arabia compete in the Olympic Winter Games for the first time, and we hope this will lead to further participation from the region in the future,” he said.
Asia’s 18 NOCs were represented by 430 athletes, comprised of 214 female athletes and 216 male athletes.
“Once again we congratulate our NOCs on achieving gender equity with this representation of female and male athletes. The OCA will continue to strive for and to promote gender equity and equal opportunities at all levels of sport,” said Mr Al Musallam.
He highlighted the outstanding contributions of Asian female athletes to the success of the NOCs in particular and the Winter Olympics in general.
“Eileen Gu Ailing of China won two gold medals and one silver medal in freestyle skiing and was one of the brightest stars of the Games; Miho Takagi of Japan won one gold medal and three silver medals in speed skating for Japan; and Choi Min-jeong won one gold medal and two silver medals for Korea in short track speed skating,” he said.
“These athletes, and many more, are outstanding role models who will surely inspire a new generation of winter sports enthusiasts.
“Finally, we would like to thank all our Asian NOCs for flying the flag at the Winter Olympics and contributing to such a successful event.”