91Èȱ¬

Winter Olympics: Athletes train ahead of games in Beijing

  • Published
torch relayImage source, Reuters
Image caption,

The Winter Olympic flame is also on its way to the stadium during a shorter, three-day torch relay. More than 1,000 torchbearers will carry the flame through competition areas in Beijing and the neighbouring city of Zhangjiakou – hosting events such as cross-country skiing and ski jumping – before the opening ceremony on Friday evening. Here you can see a changeover at the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China.

Image source, Reuters
Image caption,

In 2022 there are a record 109 events over 15 disciplines in seven sports. Here's Japan's Ikuma Horishima in action during training for the Freestyle Skiing.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

The course at Zhangjiakou Genting Snow Park is inspired by Chinese culture and even features a replica Great Wall. This Team US snowboarder gets some practice in ahead of the Games.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Team GB's 50 competitors are hoping to bring back a record number of medals. Here are some of the team during a cross-country skiing training session.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Biathalon is one of the more unusual events, a combination of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Its roots go back thousands of years and there are even cave paintings in Norway showing people hunting on skis.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Team China gets some practice in at the National Speed Skating Oval. Speed skating has been a sport in the Winter Olympics since the first winter games in 1924. There are two disciplines, speed skating and short track speed skating, with a combined 22 events in total.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Romania's Valentin Cretu takes part in the men's singles luge training session at the Yanqing National Sliding Centre in Yanqing. Luge is one of the fastest sports on ice with athletes whizzing at speeds of up to 87mph down sheer ice on small sleds.