An efficient and cost effective Games was an underlying theme in both bid books, handed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its headquarters in Lausanne yesterday, as each Bid Committee outlined their key themes and proposals in the Olympic Capital.

After the extraordinary costs linked to Sochi 2014, many in the Olympic Movement feared the same would come of the two remaining bids for 2022 with both Beijing and Almaty backed by a considerable wealth of resources.

It appears that the Asian bidders are looking to steer clear of this elephant in the room, however, with focus surrounding cost efficiency, sustainability and sensibility.

Almaty 2022's vision promises Winter Games focused on delivering the most "easy to use" and efficient Games plan in 30 years, with all venues within a 30 kilometre radius of the Olympic Village.

The bid team from Kazakhstan also promises a return to "a responsible, sensible Games model by adapting the 2022 Winter Games to fit the city and its long-term needs, not by altering the city with unnecessary infrastructure to fit the Games."

With a keen eye on the recent Agenda 2020 recommendations, which were passed at the IOC Session in Monaco last month, Almaty has said it hopes to achieve a "more affordable Games and Games that leave a lasting legacy we strongly support."

Both Beijing and Almaty have emphasised the need for cost-effective sensible and sustainable Games for 2022 following the high cost  of Sochi 2014  ©Getty Images



With 14 competition venues outlined in its plans, Almaty claims just three will be built for the 2022 Winter Games.

Of the others, eight are already existing and ready for competition while three are under construction or planned for the 2017 Winter Universiade.

The plans for the Games show two "zones" for the Almaty bid, the Mountain Zone and the City Zone.

The City Zone will consist of the Olympic City, The Central Cluster and the Sunkar Precinct, with the Mountain Zone divided into three clusters - the Medeu Cluster, the Tabagan Cluster and the Ak Bulak Cluster.

"Our operational planning is forward thinking and sensible, but it is also important to remain focused on sports excellence," said Andrey Kryukov, a member of both Executive Board
of the Kazakhstan National Olympic Committee and Almaty 2022.

"Agenda 2020 actually makes it easier - and more affordable - for cities to host the Winter Games at a high level, which Olympic sport demands.

"We focused on this in our planning to ensure that we deliver world-class facilities for the athletes at Games time, and usable, sustainable facilities for the people of Almaty and Kazakhstan for years to come."

The Beijing and Almaty Bid Committees have used a the recommendations from Agenda 2020 to enable a cost efficient and sustainable Games in 2022 ©Getty Images



Beijing have also promised an "athlete-centred, sustainable and cost-efficient Games" as they look to become the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Beijing 2022's Candidature File consists of three volumes, divided in to 14 themes, and addresses in details the 192 questions and requirements raised by the IOC in relation to the organisation of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, including the overall concept for the Games, its vision, its venue plans as well as its plans for transport, media operations and security.

Wang Anshun, chairman of the Beijing 2022 Bid Committee and Mayor of Beijing, who submitted the Candidature File to Jacqueline Barrett, IOC Head of Olympic Bid City Coordination, was hopeful that the proposals would be enough to secure the hosting rights to the Games.

"Our Candidature File embodies the requirements of the IOC and the philosophy of the Olympic Agenda 2020," he said.

"We will keep our promise of hosting an athlete-centred, sustainable and cost-efficient Games."

Wang Hui, spokeswoman of the Beijing 2022 Bid Committee, added: "The Candidature File clearly lays out our commitments to the IOC and the Olympic Movement.

"This will be the basis for the IOC Evaluation Commission's visit to China at the end of March and will also help the IOC members to make their decision during the 128th IOC Plenary Session in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in July."

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