Winter Olympic Games Research Articles

Estimating the snow density using collocated Parsivel and Micro-Rain Radar measurements: a preliminary study from ICE-POP 2017/2018

Abstract. A new method is developed to derive the bulk density and bulk water fraction of a population of particles from collocated measurements from the Micro-Rain Radar (MRR) and Particle Size and Velocity disdrometer (Parsivel). A rigorous particle-scattering simulation, namely the T-matrix method, is applied to Parsivel's particle size distribution data to calculate the reflectivity (ZHH). The possible combinations of the particle's ice, air, and water are derived to compare them with the MRR-measured ZHH. The combination of the minimum water fraction and maximum ice fraction subsequently determines the bulk density (ρbulk). The proposed method is applied to the data collected from the International Collaborative Experiments for Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic winter games (ICE-POP 2018) projects and its pre-campaign. The estimated ρbulk was examined independently by a comparison of the liquid-equivalent snowfall rate (SR) of collocated Pluvio devices. The bias values are adequately low (SR: −0.25–0.06 mm h−1). The retrieved bulk density also shows good consistency with collocated Precipitation Imaging Package (PIP) retrievals. The results indicate the capability of the proposed algorithm to derive reliable ρbulk, leveraging the compact and easily deployable designs of MRR and Parsivel. The derived bulk density of the two warm–low cases (28 February and 7 March 2018) shares a similar transition as the systems were decaying. The higher bulk density and bulk water fraction were found in the coastal sites (BKC and GWU have a median value of ρbulk and are 0.05 to 0.12 g cm−3), typically accompanied by higher liquid-water constituents (mean values of the top 5 % bulk water fraction are 0.07 to 0.45) than the inland sites (YPO and MHS have a median value of ρbulk and are 0.06 to 0.10, and mean values of the top 5 % bulk water fraction are 0.001 to 0.008) during such synoptic conditions.

The fluidity of soft power in YouTube’s broadcast of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games

In an era of heightened geopolitical tension, marked by a dynamic power shift between the West and China, the 2022 Winter Olympic Games emerged as a focal point of diplomatic contention. Several Western nations signalled their dissent through diplomatic boycotts, while China, conversely, seized this platform to strategically enhance its soft power. This paper explores how the Chinese government utilized the 2022 Winter Olympic Games’ opening ceremony as a canvas for the portrayal of its national image, and examines the resonance of this portrayal with the global audience. The opening ceremony provided China with an unrivalled opportunity to express its cultural identity, political ideology and aspirations to an international audience. Consequently, this research delves into the intangible aspects of media and image perception, with a particular focus on the role of YouTube as a repository for live streams from the traditional broadcaster, Eurosport. It is crucial to understand that the depiction of national image and its perception by a global audience are not static, but fluid concepts, constantly shaped by the socio-political context. Therefore, this paper contributes to a nuanced understanding of the fluidity inherent in the construction and projection of China’s soft power. It sheds light on the intricate choreography of international diplomacy, media strategy and national branding.

Place branding strategies through Winter Olympic games

ABSTRACT Purpose The purpose of this research is to examine how place branding strategies, undertaken by countries which belong to distinctive clusters, can manifest differently via the Winter Olympic Games. Methods In this paper, the experiences of Winter Olympics hosted by three countries (Russia, South Korea, China), are examined using Richelieu et al.’s framework, alongside clusters introduced in 2022. The study adopts a content analysis. Findings The framework is validated: the perceived importance of soft power and a country’s resources, differences in the measures and strategies used by the host countries, are confirmed. Practical implications Countries that set higher importance on sport diplomacy (Russia and China: “diplomacy branding”) are more assertive. In contrast, South Korea takes a more balanced approach, as it considers its action across a wider spectrum of areas (“balanced structure”). Research contribution The framework can explain the differences in the experiences of host countries, by also referring to the public choice theory. This paper illustrates how place branding strategies through sporting events, such as Winter Olympics, can differ between countries depending on the perceived role of public diplomacy, sport diplomacy, soft power and the economic resources invested. Originality/Value The article widens avenues for future research on major sporting events, through different clusters, by borrowing a holistic approach.

Climate change and the climate reliability of hosts in the second century of the Winter Olympic Games

ABSTRACT In the year the world first surpassed the 1.5°C dangerous global warming threshold set out in the Paris Climate Agreement, the international community celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Olympic Winter Games and considers its future in a warmer world. In the largest study to date, the climate reliability of 93 locations to host Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (OWG and PWG) snow sports is examined. Under a more probable mid-range emission scenario (RCP4.5, SSP2-45), 52 locations remain climate-reliable for the OWG in the 2050s and 46 in the 2080s. The scheduling of the PWG in March put it at higher risk, with only 22 climate-reliable locations in the 2050s and 16 in the 2080s. When a more stringent minimum snow depth requirement was applied, the number of reliable locations declined slightly for both OWG and PWG, signifying the importance of advanced sustainable snowmaking as an adaptation strategy. While it is inevitable that climate change will impact the geography and development of winter sports to some degree, a reassuring finding is that even with a diminished pool of potential host locations, with continued adaptation, the OWG-PWG can endure as a genuinely global celebration of sport.

Psychological status of medical security teams in Winter Olympic Games and Paralympics under COVID-19.

Medical security work for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympics faced enormous challenges under COVID-19. This study aimed to investigate the mental status of those medical team members to provide a reference for scientifically implementing medical security services for large-scale events. In this prospective cohort study, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Self-rating Anxiety Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, and Psychological Questionnaire for Emergent Events of Public Health (PQEEPH) were administered to 145 members of the medical team. A generalized mixed linear model was used to analyze the impact of work duration, position, on/off rotation, and gender on psychological status. Work duration significantly impacted depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, and all dimensions of PQEEPH. Women scored higher than men in the PQEEPH dimensions of depression, neurasthenia, fear, and total score. Working status affected the dimensions of depression, neurasthenia, and total score. Deterioration in emotional state became apparent in the fourth week and recovered 1 week after the task concluded, while self-efficacy decreased from beginning to end. All the medical team members experienced emotional deterioration and decreased self-efficacy in medical security tasks. To maintain a medical team's psychological wellbeing during large-scale activities, rotation times should be set reasonably, and adequate mental health services should be provided.

A Critical Discourse Analysis of American News Reports on the Opening Ceremony of Beijing Winter Olympics

The opening ceremony of Beijing Winter Olympic Games in 2022 has been extensively covered in international news reports. Although these news reports seem impartial and objective, they carry underlying ideologies that can influence public opinions and judgments. This paper examined the discursive representation of China in American news reports on the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics using Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis model as the theoretical basis. News stories from American media were collected and analysed in terms of headline, collocation, and quotation pattern. The research found that American news reports present mixed and multifaceted views toward the host country. They showed appreciation for the host country’s success in delivering a spectacular opening ceremony, but they tended to frame China negatively, portraying it as an intimidating power and a geopolitical threat. This study can improve our understanding of the discursive practice of news reports and enhance critical awareness in interpreting news texts.

The Diverse Agendas Surrounding Nathan Chen on China's Social Media During the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games: The Sport, the Athlete, and Nationalism

This paper analyses the online communication around American figure skater Nathan Chen (陈巍, Chen Wei) on China's social media platform Sina Weibo during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games in order to critically unfold the agendas surrounding him. Engaging with agenda-setting theory and scholarship that conceptualises the contentious characteristics of China's online communication, and by using content analysis and network analysis, this paper presents empirical data to argue that online discussions around Chen were multiple and contentious. The communications consist of multiple topics surrounding the Games, the performances of different figure skaters, and the controversies surrounding Chen. The attitudes towards Chen were also diverse, such as nationalistic sentiments, appreciation of Chen's achievements, and disapproval of his performance all co-existed.

Assessing Impacts of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games on Meteorology and of Atmospheric Ammonia Emissions in Taiyuan City Using <?A3B2 pi6?>a Random Forest Model

Assessing Impacts of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games on Meteorology and of Atmospheric Ammonia Emissions in Taiyuan City Using <?A3B2 pi6?>a Random Forest Model

Review of the economic aspect of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games

To estimate whether holding the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games could promote notable economic growth within a country or trigger the situation of government deficit to some extent, this article will first introduce two economic models, the Solow Growth Model and the Endogenous Growth Model, which are widely used to solve economic problems, then applicate these two models to analysis this issue respectively by comparing to the precise data released by official institutions. Data from some authorities, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and the National Bureau of Statistics of China were used to measure some variables affecting a nation’s economy, such as GDP per capita, TFP, capital, employment, and so on. Finally, through comparing relative variables in each model to determine two results about if Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games is positive for economic growth. Inevitably, each kind of model may have limitations that are not able to be adaptable to all sorts of situations, thus, in the last part of this article, some loopholes in analyzing this issue will be shown.

Evaluating the impact of control measures on sulfate-nitrate-ammonium aerosol variations and their formation mechanism in northern China during 2022 Winter Olympic Games

Sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium (SNA) significantly contribute to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). To ensure good air quality during 2022 Winter Olympic Games (WOG), stringent control measures were implemented in northern China. In this study, comprehensive atmospheric observations were conducted from 2022 January to March in four representative cities to investigate the changes in SNA and their formation mechanism in response to these control measures. The SNA concentrations obviously decreased (29.45%–42.83%) during the control periods in the four cities, but their proportion of PM2.5 remained relatively stable (>50%). SNA was the key factor driving the decrease and increase in the PM2.5 concentration during WOG, with nitrate making the most prominent contribution. The formation of SNA was largely dominated by aqueous heterogeneous chemistry instead of gas-phase oxidation. However, the aerosol liquid water content (ALWC) decreased while odd oxygen (OX) increased during the control periods. Such a variation influenced the role of aqueous heterogeneous and gas-phase reactions in SNA formation, with the former's dominant role being replaced by the latter. After the control periods, the aqueous heterogeneous reactions were enhanced again due to the increased ALWC. Among the cities in the study region, SNA formation became more intense from north to south with increased air temperature and relative humidity (RH). Moreover, ISORROPIA-II thermodynamic modelling revealed notable impacts of sulfate, ammonium, and nonvolatile cations (NVCs) on variations in particle acidity throughout WOG. These results provide a more comprehensive understanding of SNA responses to pollution control on a regional scale and insight into future conventional control.

Research on the Monitoring of Physiological Indexes of Freestyle Skiers before and after Competition

In order to understand the physiological characteristics of freestyle skiers before and after the competition and the alteration in their physical functions, a series of physiological indexes related to sports and health of freestyle skiers before and after the competition were examined in this study. 12 excellent athletes aged 9-18 years-old preparing for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in the Hebei Provincial ski team were included. It was found that: 1. The average red blood cell volume, red blood cell distribution width, platelet distribution width, levels of glutamic pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and creatine sarcosidase in the athletes were significantly reduced after the competition. Glucose level in the athletes increased significantly after the competition. 2. The physiological indexes, such as the levels of urea, lipoprotein (a), creatine sarcosidase, testosterone and the ratio of testosterone to cortisol, are significantly different between the athletes of different genders before or after the competition; 3. The physiological indexes such as platelet count, platelet distribution width, the levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, cortisol and the ratio of testosterone to cortisol of skiers are significantly different between the athletes of younger and the elder age before or after the competition. It guides us to monitor the state and alterations of skiers according to the change patterns of these physiological indicators, so as to guide the exercise intensity and rehabilitation training of skiers.

Assessing the key concerns in snow storage: a case study for China

Abstract. Snow security plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of winter sports events and supporting the ski industry. One effective approach to enhancing snow reliability is through snow storage. Despite its potential benefits, investigations of snow storage in China have been limited. To address this gap, we implemented snow storage covered with geotextiles at two venues, namely the Big Air Shougang (BAS) in Beijing for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games and the National Biathlon Center (NBC) in Chongli for the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games, in response to possible extreme meteorological conditions. To assess the key concerns associated with snow storage, ablation (the process of snow loss) and snow properties, we introduced a fine-snow-pile monitoring system and the SNOWPACK model. Our observations revealed that, by 18 February, the snow pile at BAS had lost 158.6 m3 of snow (equivalent to 6.7 % of the initial volume). Subsequently, the accelerated ablation was influenced by meteorological conditions and a thin geotextile layer. Between 16 January and 15 April, the snow pile at BAS experienced a total loss of 1242.9 m3 of snow (corresponding to 52.7 % of the original volume). Regarding snow properties, no significant variations were modeled at the study sites, except for the upper part of the snow piles. Notably, the evaporation of the geotextiles contributed to slowing the ablation process. Consequently, we discourage the use of impermeable coverage schemes for snow storage. Instead, the thickness of the cover played a vital role in preserving the snow pile. At Beijing and Chongli, the 0.7 and 0.4 m thick cover layers, respectively, were found to protect approximately half of the snow pile height over the summer season. Importantly, the evolution of snow properties was consistent across the different cover thicknesses. The findings of our study have implications for the ski industry in China, as they provide valuable insights into snow storage techniques and their impact on snow reliability.

The arsenal of democracy? An examination of political regime types’ success in the global sporting arms race following the collapse of the iron curtain

ABSTRACT Over the years, international elite sport has developed into an ‘arms race’ with the success of national elite sport systems becoming a symbol of regime superiority. During the Cold War, the Eastern and Western Blocs battled for success in various sports disciplines. The former nations were dominating in terms of medals, symbolising the force of the socialist autocratic system. However, because of the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, Western liberal democracies had the opportunity to gain more strength. In this paper, we aim to test whether this has happened by analysing the association between political regime type and international sporting success at the Winter and Summer Olympic Games in the post-Cold War Period. We do this by deploying data on the political regime types to a set of regression models, finding that democratic nations have taken over the international sporting arms race at the Summer Olympic Games. For the Winter Games, our results indicate that less democratic countries (anocracies) are in the lead. Our results add to existing research by suggesting that political regime type still matters to international sporting success. Implications for stakeholders, sports managers, and politicians are that they must decide to what extent they want to be part of this game in the coming years.

The Impact of VR Technology on the Sports and Culture Industry in the Era of COVID-19: Beijing Winter Olympic Games as an example

The Impact of VR Technology on the Sports and Culture Industry in the Era of COVID-19: Beijing Winter Olympic Games as an example

An Investigation Into The Reading Direction Preferences Of Generation Z: A Study On The Design Of Asian Winter Olympics Posters

Visual design is a crucial tool for communicating ideas through images rather than words or printed text. It enables readers to visually interpret and understand information, potentially solving problems across various life aspects. Traditional reading patterns usually flow from left to right and from top to bottom, while some Asian scripts are written in horizontal rows from left to right or in vertical columns from top to bottom. Lines guide the eye between sections and visual elements, while white space allows the eye to rest and focus on targeted areas. The purpose of arranging the five elements of layout design—text, images, lines, shapes, and white space—is to capture the reader's attention and effectively convey information. In this study, researchers conducted a visual content analysis of a poster with 40 Generation Z respondents to investigate their reading direction. This generation is known for its frequent use of various gadgets and preference for short, simple text to comprehend content. The researchers intentionally designed a vertical banner-sized poster representing the Asian Winter Olympics as a sample. The events included Sapporo 1972 and Nagano 1998 in Japan, PyeongChang 2018 in South Korea, and Beijing 2022 in China. The poster is segmented into four sections from top to bottom, each depicting one of the Winter Olympics events from 1972 to 2022. Coding categories were developed to analyse text layout, lines, and white space. However, the colours and images of these emblems and symbols of the Winter Olympic Games were predetermined, so colours and images were not examined in this study. This exploratory study of Generation Z offers an analytical approach to understanding the reading orientation of Generation Z and serves as a basis for future research. Additionally, several informants tended to scan the poster for information, even though it was not indicated that the poster could be interacted with via an app on their mobile phones.

IOC Olympian Health Cohort: a study protocol for a 15-year, prospective, Olympian health study across Summer and Winter Olympic sports

Prevention of sports injury and illness and protection of athlete health are key mandates of the IOC. Methodological limitations in Olympic Games surveillance and retired Olympian studies mean there are...

Redefining Duty of Care: Challenges and Solutions for Network Service Providers

With the rapid development of Internet and algorithm technology, how to judge the "duty of care" of network service providers has become a new problem in the field of network infringement. The main topic of this paper is to focus on what kind of duty of care network service providers should bear, and how to solve the problem of responsibility division and commitment in practice. It begins with a comprehensive analysis of the current legal frameworks in China, comparing them with global standards, particularly focusing on the United States' "Safe Harbor" principle and the European Union's Digital Single Market Copyright Directive. It further discusses the challenges of enforcing the duty of care, emphasizing the variability in judicial interpretations and the difficulties in applying traditional legal principles to modern digital contexts. It highlights the need for clearer definitions and preemptive legal measures to mitigate infringement risks, as demonstrated by proactive copyright declarations like those implemented during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games. Additionally, it examines the potential misuse of the duty of care in competitive business environments, suggesting judicial and legislative strategies to prevent abuse and ensure a fair application of the law. The conclusion advocates for a collaborative approach to reforming duty of care standards, involving a range of stakeholders from legislators to copyright holders, to ensure they are robust yet flexible enough to accommodate future technological developments.

Research on the Upgrading and Development of Ski Industry in Heilongjiang Province under the Opportunity of 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games

At present, there are two bottlenecks in the development of skiing industry in Heilongjiang Province, that is, the total number of customers has not broken through for a long time, and it is in a downward trend; the number of users of each skiing enterprise is very thin, which can not support the operating expenditure, which shows that the sustainability of the development of skiing industry in Heilongjiang Province is greatly weakened, and how to improve the sustainability of development is a problem worthy of attention of skiing enterprises. At this time, the emergence of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games has given Heilongjiang Province ski industry the direction to break through the bottleneck and improve the development sustainability. Ski enterprises can use the appeal and audience groups of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games to achieve their goals. This paper will analyze this and elaborate the ways and strategies to achieve the goals. Selecting Chinese A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2019 as research samples, this paper empirically tests that the higher the development of the regional digital economy, the lower the synchronization of corporate stock prices. The same conclusion is obtained after the robustness test. The mediation effect test shows that the digital economy reduces stock price synchronization by inhibiting real earnings management. Further research proves that the digital economy has more significant synchronization with enterprise stock prices in non-state-owned enterprises with close attention paid by analysts. The research conclusion has important enlightenment for listed companies, regulatory authorities, and investors.

Will event inspiration and leveraging improve sport participation among the games makers? An examination on volunteers of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic games

ABSTRACT This longitudinal intervention study tracks sport participation changes among volunteers of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, following their exposure to event inspiration and a post-event leveraging intervention. Specifically, the study investigates whether event inspiration increases sport participation among previously inactive volunteers and if a Transtheoretical Model-based intervention, incorporating event visuals to sustain inspiration, enhances this effect. The study included 408 university student volunteers, with 244 retained after attrition, who were either in the contemplation or preparation stages of sport participation before the Games. Findings revealed significant increases in sport participation both 3 months (T1) and 9 months (T2) after the Games commenced, irrespective of the intervention. However, a notable decline was observed from T1 to T2, with females exhibiting a greater decrease compared to males. Moreover, the intervention was effective in improving attitude towards sport participation among the contemplation group. In terms of originality, while confirming the presence of an inspirational effect under certain conditions within an Asian context, this study demonstrates the untapped potential of a specific event stakeholder group – event volunteers – whose engagement in sport can be significantly enhanced by event inspiration and leveraging initiatives. Further, this study underscores the importance of customising leveraging initiatives to align with the target group’s stages of sport participation, and providing ongoing support for continuing participation post-event, particularly for women. Finally, it illustrates how (winter) sports events can catalyse regular exercise, suggesting future organisers can enhance physical activity and public health by promoting both event-specific and general sports.

Opularization of Nordic Combined Through the Introduction of New Disciplines in the Program of Various Ranks Competitions.

Topicality. The presented research paper examines and analyzes the regulations for holding Nordic combined competitions at the Olympic and non-Olympic disciplines. The main changes and expansion of sports competition programs, which took place during the last decades and influenced its popularization, have been described. The purpose of the research. Analysis of the dynamics and reasons for the introduction of new disciplines into the program of competitions of various ranks at Nordic combined. Research methods. Analysis and generalization of scientific and methodological literature, theoretical analysis of regulatory documents and documentation of competitive sports activities (detailed analysis of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation`s bulletins) and review of research analytical sources and information from e-resources (search and analysis of historical data). The research results. Based on a detailed analysis of scientific and methodological sources and available Internet sources as well as the new competition rules, it was found that the basis of the Nordic combined competitions is the following disciplines: a) the individual Gundersen competitions (standard normal and large ski jumping hills; 10 km competition in cross-country skiing), the Men's team sprint competition (included into the program of the Winter Olympic Games only for men); b) the mass start (individual competitions), the Women`s individual Gundersen competitions, the Women`s team sprint. This allowed to systematize the peculiarities of competitive activity and highlight the main aspects in the above mentioned disciplines in accordance with the modern rules of the Nordic combined competitions. Findings. Among the reasons for radical changes and innovations into the Nordic combined was a long stagnation and reluctance to make unpopular decisions, which led to a decline, a decrease in popularity and the number of the competition participants. During the 100-year FIS history, the most changes occurred at the end of the 20th – beginning of the 21st century, in particular, the Gundersen method application, the introduction and search for new disciplines, etc.