When did the Winter Olympics begin?
The idea of a separate Winter Olympics was first proposed in 1921. In 1924, a competition called International Winter Sports Week was held in France. It was a great success and later became known as the first Winter Olympics.
Since that time, the Winter Olympics have been staged every four years except in 1940 and 1944 because of World War II.
Until 1986 the Winter Games were held in the same year as the Summer Olympics. Since then they have been held in different years.
Who organises the Winter Olympic Games?
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) selects the host city for the Games and approves the sports in which the athletes compete. The IOC also sets the rules for competition and says who has the right to show the Games on television.
Who can compete?
Athletes from any country are able to compete in the Olympics but they must first be selected by the Olympic Committee in their own country.
The winter Olympics are held in places where there is plenty of snow. © Getty Images
Winter Olympic Games: Beijing 2022
The XXIV Winter Olympics 2022 will be held in Beijing, the capital city of The People’s Republic of China, and in towns in the neighbouring area known as Hebei province. The Games will run from the 4th - 20th of February.
Events such as luge, bobsleigh and alpine skiing will be held in Xiaohaituo Mountain area about 90 kilometres away from the city center of Beijing Artificial snow will be used because not enough natural snow falls in the area. A high-speed train will transport spectators and athletes from Beijing to this area.
All other events will be held in venues around Beijing. Many were used previously in the Beijing Summer games in 2008 and have been renovated for these Winter games.
Beijing is the first city to host both a summer Olympics and a Winter games.
The Chinese Government is spending billions of dollars on the Games, including a new Olympic Village that is being built for athletes and officials attending the Games.
New venues for snowboarding and speed skating have been constructed.
The Chinese government has announced that all Olympic venues will be powered by renewable energy
You can read about the mascots for the Games here: 2020 Mascots
For information about some of the Winter Olympic sporting events go to the kidcyber sports index.
Biathlon, Bobsleigh and Skeleton, Curling, Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, Luge, Skiing events, Snowboarding, Speed Skating
For more information and facts about life in China, its history, wildlife, food, industries and customs, look in the index to kidcyber’s
People and Places : China
