Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun told reporters on the sidelines of the launching ceremony for the 100-day countdown timer of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games in the city’s main square, Largo do Senado, yesterday that even though Macau athletes can’t join the Olympic Games their performances can be seen at other competitions.
When reporters asked Pun about his thoughts on Macau athletes not being able take part in the Olympic Games despite their achievements at the National Games, he said that his bureau’s role is to let local athletes compete at other games and, therefore, be acknowledged by the world.
Unlike the Chinese regions of Hong Kong and Taiwan, Macau is not a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
During the launching ceremony, Pun said that the countdown timer will run until February 20, which marks the last day of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. Pun noted that the Winter Olympic will take place from February 4 to 20 in Beijing, adding that Beijing will be the first city in the world to have held both the Winter and Summer Olympics. He pointed out that there will be a string of activities to keep residents abreast of the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Pun said that with the support of the organising committee of both the Beijing Winter Games and the Beijing Winter Paralympics, his bureau has been authorised to set the countdown timer of the Games in Largo do Senado for residents and tourists to feel the atmosphere of the event and anticipate the arrival of the Games. He added that “during the wait, we hope that there will be more events for Macau residents to experience the atmosphere of large-scale sports events being held by the mainland.”
The XIII Paralympic Winter Games, commonly known as Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games, are scheduled to take place in Beijing from March 4 to 13 next year.
The countdown clock for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games is seen in Largo do Senado last night.
Sports Bureau (ID President Pun Weng Kun speaks with reporters after the launching ceremony for the 100-day countdown timer of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games in Largo do Senado last night.
