Winter Olympic Games Research Articles

Predictions of air quality and challenges for eliminating air pollution during the 2022 Olympic Winter Games

Scientifically and efficiently ensuring good air quality for important events is an issue of concern to the government. In addition to analysis based on historical data, advanced prediction before an event is essential for the government having ample time to take effective actions to improve air quality during the event period. Taking “the 2022 Olympic Winter Games (OWG)” as a typical case, a chemical transport model coupled with a tracer-tagged module was used to evaluate the air quality and source apportionment of ambient pollutants in the OWG host cities under historical and predicted meteorological conditions. Driven by the downscaling of meteorological fields from an operational real-time climate forecast system, the potential ability of air quality forecasting three months ahead was investigated, which was meaningful for designing control strategies. Sensitive simulations indicated that under unfavorable meteorological conditions, such as those during February 2014, both Beijing and Zhangjiakou faced a high risk of experiencing haze episodes, even based on current anthropogenic emission intensity. The contribution of the joint prevention and control region to Beijing and Zhangjiakou would become larger under worse meteorological conditions, which favor heavy air pollution. The source apportionment results indicated that strengthened emission control in cities including Beijing, Zhangjiakou and south of Beijing (Baoding, Langfang, Tianjin, and Tangshan) is effective for reducing haze episodes in the host cities. There is still a long way to make accurate daily fine particulate matter predictions on a seasonal-scale in advance; however, it could capture the trends in air quality in host cities around the OWG period three months ahead. The comparison of observations and predictions confirmed and highlighted the role of regional emission controls on the realization of the “OWG blue”.

Modernity, Aesthetics, and Nation Re-branding in Olympics: A Multimodal Discourse Analysis of the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games

The paper examines the construction of China’s country image in the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games. It demonstrates how a country that has no winter sports tradition used the mega-event to showcase its national narrative and to promote winter sports industries. A semiotic framework is developed to model China’s country image as evaluative attributes and to elucidate how they are constructed through linguistic and visual resources in the theater, livestream, and video inserts. The analysis shows that the ceremony was narrated around four major themes—the world’s China, People’s China, the aesthetic China, and the modernized China. Instead of revealing a changeless, nostalgic and mythical China that speaks to a Western orientalistic imagination, these four themes work together to reshape a modern China identity, which brings the contrasting values of globalism, nationalism, Chinese traditional aesthetics, and neoliberalism into a coherent artistic performance. The characteristics of nation branding discourse reflect China’s urban regeneration policies on the one hand, and public diplomacies during the COVID-19 pandemic on the other.

Olympic Games and expectations: The factor analysis model about Olympic Urbanism and Olympic Villages

Editions of the Olympic Games have given rise to an important urban transformation that has opened a new critical perspective on the new urban dimension of the Games, especially in the construction of the three main physical elements: the athletics stadium, swimming facilities and, above all, the «Olympic Village». The study analyses the Winter and Summer Olympic Games in a general way, with particular attention to the relationship between the Olympic spatial dimension and the urban fabric. The relationship of interdependence between the city and the Olympic Games has evolved through new models of development of the Olympic event that have marked the importance of the transformation processes of the city. The lack of previous studies allows us to affirm the importance of the study for the academic debate on the future of the Olympic Village. The study used quantitative factor analysis to investigate the different variables and responses of the Olympic specialists who participated in the sample. The study will observe the perceptions and expectations of respondents through statistical analysis, considering the three elements identified: social, territory and organization.

Characteristics of fine particulate matter in Linyi during the 24th Olympic winter Games: An insight into the components, sources, transport pathways, and source distribution

To maintain air quality and mitigate pollution during the 24th Olympic Winter Games, strict control measures were implemented in Beijing and surrounding areas, including Linyi. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) sampling was conducted in the urban area of Linyi between November 10th, 2021, and February 20th, 2022. This sampling period was divided into a no-control period (NCP) and a control period (CP). The PM2.5 concentration decreased by 25.0% during the CP, whereas the atmospheric oxidation increased. This led to the formation of secondary components of PM2.5. Although the conversion rate of the precursors into secondary components was increased during the CP, the nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+) concentrations were reduced due to emission reduction. Elemental carbon (EC) and primary organic carbon concentrations were also decreased, whereas the organic carbon (OC)/EC ratio and proportion of secondary organic carbon in PM2.5 increased. Total detected inorganic element concentrations decreased by 23.6% during the CP. The results of source apportionment revealed that secondary sources were the leading PM2.5 contributors during both periods. Vehicle pollution prevention and control should be strengthened as no restrictions on private-car travel during the CP. Controlling combustion and industrial sources had a significant impact on air quality during the CP. Biomass burning and industrial emissions declined from 20.7% to 16.1% (NCP) to 2.0% and 9.1% (CP), respectively. Backward trajectories revealed that air masses largely originated from local regions during both periods, with the highest PM2.5 concentrations found in air masses from the north (NCP) and east (CP) of Linyi. Potential source regions were also identified. The location of these regions showed that local and regional collaborative control of PM2.5 is urgently needed, particularly in northern and southern Linyi (NCP) and eastern Linyi (CP).

Research on Olympic Games Hosting Scheme Based on Comprehensive Evaluation and Grey Prediction Model

Owing to the confluence of financial, environmental, and societal pressures confronting both the host city and nation, the allure of bidding for the Olympic Games across diverse global regions is experiencing a discernible wane. In an effort to proffer a structured framework for Olympic Games bidding, this paper undertakes an initial phase of indicator selection and subsequent determination of their respective weights. We have meticulously curated a selection of the utmost fitting cities to serve as potential hosts for the grandeur of the Summer Olympic Games across the global stage. This intricate process is achieved through the confluence of methodologies including the Delphi Method, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and the EWM-TOPSIS Method. Subsequently, guided by the Comprehensive Evaluation Model, the study identifies a pair of fitting global locales poised for the enduring stewardship of the summer and winter Olympic Games. This paper culminates in scrutinizing the feasibility of the proposed scheme. This scrutiny takes the form of an inquiry into both immediate and prolonged repercussions of the Olympic Games upon the host city or nation. Parameters of Real GDP per capita, the proportion of international trade taxes, and carbon emissions are dissected, employing the discerning capabilities of the GREY Model. The outcomes of this inquiry distinctly underscore the efficacy of the strategy involving a fixed hosting address, bolstering affirmative developmental trajectories for the host locale. This study bears substantial reference value for the Olympic Organizing Committee in its pursuit of identifying a fresh and distinctive Olympic venue.

Exploring Predictors of Team Performance in Curling Championships: An Investigation of Factors Predicting Success

Curling is one of the most popular sports of the Olympic Winter Games. As strategy is very important for curling, it is called “chess on the ice”. Given the exponential surge in sports-related data, the analysis of game performance has assumed paramount importance, as it provides a valuable avenue for improving overall athletic performance. The aim of this research was to examine the effect of some parameters on championship performance of elite level curling teams. The data used in this study were taken from the World Curling Federation Historical Results database. World Mens/Womens Curling Championships (2021 – 2022 – 2023) and European Mens/Womens Curling Championships results (2019 – 2021 – 2022) included in the study. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the extent to which the independent variables, namely Draw Shot Challenge distance, shot performance, stolen points for, stolen points against, hammer efficiency, force efficiency, and difference of generated and given points, explained team success. Statistical Package for Social Sciences 24.0 software used for statistical analyses. The results revealed an R-value of 0.902 and an adjusted R-squared value of 0.804. In the study investigating the factors influencing team success in World and European Curling Championships, it was concluded that the difference of points generated and given points, Draw Shot Challenge distance, and hammer use efficiency predicts championship success.

Research on Organizing Strategies for the Olympic Games Based on the TOPSIS Method

Fewer and fewer countries have bid to host the Olympic Games in recent years because of the negative short- and long-term impacts that bidding to host the Games has had on the country. A sustainable and healthy Olympic Games will have a huge positive impact on the country, so it is quite meaningful to assess the ability of an Olympic Games to be sustainable. In order to assess the success of the Olympic Games, we designed the Olympic Sustainability Index (OSI) as a primary indicator. Then, using McKinsey Logic Tree Analysis, we constructed a three-level evaluation index system, and we designed three secondary indicators and 10 tertiary indicators. The entropy weight method was used to determine the weights between the three-level indicators, and CRITIC weighting method was used to determine the weights between the second-level indicators, and finally an OSI evaluation model was built. After that, we collected the data of tertiary indicators from 1992 to 2020 Winter Olympics and Summer Olympics, and based on the above evaluation model, we got the OSI of each Olympic Games, among which the Vancouver Winter Olympics and Beijing Summer Olympics had the highest index. Since the OSI of the Olympic Games fluctuates greatly, in order to attenuate it, we propose the strategy of "fixed host city", i.e., selecting Vancouver and Beijing as the host cities of the Winter Olympic Games and the Summer Olympic Games, respectively.

Geopolitical analysis of the new scenario in the bidding process for the host cities of the olympic games

Study Objective: To analyze the new conjuncture in the process for bidding to be the host city of the Summer or Winter Olympic Games. Methodology/Approach: Taking the 1990s as an initial reference point, this qualitative and exploratory research has been conducted, entailing the analysis and synthesis of data and information from secondary sources. The research extensively involves scrutinizing academic articles, books, news reports, and sources published on specialized websites.Originality/Relevance: The hosting of the Games and the demands imposed by the IOC have been increasingly criticized. A rise in the number of referendums with local inhabitants of bidding cities has resulted in applications being withdrawn throughout the selection process. Main Results: The results indicate that the new geopolitical scenario has significant implications for the bidding process for the Olympics. An unusual scenario ensues in the geopolitical environment of the Olympics, promoting not only changes in the profile of candidates, but also institutional changes within the IOC itself.Theoretical/methodological contributions: It can provide a better understanding of the complex relationship between politics, power, and sports events. The research can help to identify key variables that impact the selection process, which can then be further investigated through quantitative studies.Social/Management Contribution: The research can shed light on the impact of the selection process on society, including its economic, political, and social consequences. It can also inform the decision-making process of the IOC and other stakeholders involved.

Characteristics of Sports Injuries in Athletes During the Winter Olympics: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Athletes in the Winter Olympic Games are subject to high injury rates given the physical demands of sports. Comprehensive data regarding injury characteristics in these athletes are limited. To summarize and analyze data regarding the incidence and characteristics of sports injuries occurring in the Winter Olympic Games. Scoping review; Level of evidence, 4. A systematic review of the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases was conducted. Included were studies reporting the incidence of sports injuries during the Winter Olympics Games from 1995 through 2021. From 168 studies initially retrieved, 4 studies (8824 athletes, 1057 injured athletes) were included. A single-group meta-analysis of sports injury characteristics was performed, with subgroup analysis performed according to the different sports, injury locations, and injury types. Injury severity (time lost from sport) and mechanism were also assessed. The overall injury incidence rate (IIR) during the Winter Olympic Games was 9.6% (95% CI, 4.1%-19.8%). Snow sports were associated with the highest IIR (11.3%), with the top 3 events being the snowboard cross event in snowboarding (31.4%), the aerials event in freestyle skiing (28.6%), and the slopestyle event in snowboarding (27.7%). The most common injury locations were the knee (IIR = 20.0%; 95% CI 17.9%-22.0%), head (IIR = 10.6%; 95% CI, 9.4%-11.9%), and ankle (IIR = 8.2%; 95% CI 7.8%-8.7%). The most common injury types were contusion/hematoma/bruise (IIR = 29.9%; 95% CI 29.7%-30.0%), sprain (dislocation, subluxation, instability, ligamentous, rupture) (IIR = 21.9%; 95% CI 21.4%-22.3%), and strain (muscle rupture, tear, tendon rupture) (IIR = 11.3%; 95% CI 11.0%-11.6%). Regarding injury severity, most athletes had no time lost from sport (64.5%); 24.0% lost fewer than 7 days, and 11.5% lost more than 7 days. The most common injury mechanism was noncontact-related injury (63.3%). In Winter Olympics sports, snow-sport injuries were more common than those associated with other sports, and the most common injury location was the knee. Most injuries did not require time loss, and the most were noncontact-related injuries.

Exploring the Epidemiology of Injuries in Athletes of the Olympic Winter Games: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This study sought to provide a comprehensive assessment of the incidence of sports injuries among athletes participating in the Olympic Winter Games and to investigate contributing factors. We gathered injury data from athletes participating in the recent four Olympic Winter Games, incorporating details on the sports event, sex, injury location, and type. Through a meta-analysis, we calculated the injury incidence rates for each sport and examined the influence of sex and the type of sport on these incidence rates. Out of 11,197 registered athletes, we documented 1,304 sports injuries. The sports events with the highest injury rates were freestyle skiing, snowboarding, alpine skiing, bobsleigh, and ice hockey, with the most frequent injury locations being the knees, thoracic/lumbar/back regions, and the wrist/hand/fingers. Contusions, hematomas, and bruises were the most prevalent injuries, followed by strains (including muscle rupture, tearing, or tendon rupture) and sprains (covering dislocations, subluxations, and ligament ruptures). In the Olympic Winter Games, events such as freestyle skiing, snowboarding, alpine skiing, bobsleigh, and ice hockey pose a particularly high risk. Predominant injury sites include the knee, spine/back, and wrist and hand, with injuries ranging from contusions and hematomas to strains and sprains. For effective injury prevention, it is crucial to emphasize proper medical resource allocation, specialized training for medical personnel, and meticulous venue maintenance.

Chemical composition and morphology of PM2.5 in a rural valley during Chinese New Year's Eve: Impact of firework/firecracker display

To study the effect of fireworks/firecrackers (FF) display on aerosol particles, the chemical composition and morphology of fine aerosol particles (PM2.5) collected in a rural valley of north China in the Chinese New Year's Eve (CNYE) were analyzed. The results showed that PM2.5 was much lower in the 2022 CNYE with little influence by FF due to the strict no-FF display policy for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. In contrast, PM2.5 was significantly affected by FF display in the 2023 CNYE with the maximum hourly PM2.5 mass concentrations reaching 1200 μg m−3. The value was even much higher than that in near-by cities. Chemical analysis showed that organic matter (24.5 wt% of total PM2.5) was the most abundant in the CNYE, followed by K+ (15.3 wt%), SO42− (12.3 wt%), and Cl− (9.9 wt%). The mass concentrations of K+, Mg2+, Cu, Sr, and Ba were as 22.0 to 41.4 times as those before the CNYE. The concentrations of elemental carbon, Cl−, SO42−, and Ti were as 3.7 to 12.3 times as those before the CNYE. Further analysis by scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer revealed that carbonaceous particles in the CNYE contained more S, Cl, K and heavy metals compared with that before the CNYE. Most of the non-carbonaceous particles in the CNYE were K-rich, Mg-rich, Al-rich, and Ba-rich, with spherical and near-spherical shapes, which were much different from those before the CNYE with irregular shapes. The different morphologies of non-carbonaceous particles can have much different optical properties, which should be further evaluated. The results above suggested that the PM2.5 mass concentration in rural valleys in the CNYE was extremely high in a short time and more attention should be paid in future policy making to improve air quality.

Utilization of Imaging for Severe Injuries at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

Purpose: In order to better understand the imaging of severe trauma in sport, this study describes the imaging modalities utilized to image athletes who experienced severe traumatic injuries at the Beijing Winter Olympic Games 2022, the distribution of these modalities in relation to the sporting facilities, and the types of injuries imaged in each sport. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis with descriptive tables and figures, performed on a single population (athletes of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games 2022). Results: Of the 2871 athletes in the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, there were 40 athletes with severe injuries who underwent medical imaging. MRI was used more often than Radiography or CT. Athletes at venues without MRI on site had to be transferred to adjacent hospitals for care. Alpine and Freestyle skiing athletes experienced the majority of severe traumatic injuries at this Olympic Games, and the majority of injuries were to the lower limb. Conclusions: Access to medical imaging for severely injured athletes is a critical consideration in the organization of any sporting event. MRI in particular is highly utilized in this population.

Sino-futurism and alternative imaginaries of Digital China

This paper investigates the role of digital technologies in transforming China's self-image. It focuses on the use of extended reality (XR) in ceremonial events and art exhibitions. The paper offers two case studies. The first study, Beijing 8-Minute Show (2018), a multimedia performance at the closing ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games, set the scene for what was called the Science and Technology Winter Olympics in 2022. The second study, Blueprints (2020), was a multimedia exhibition in the UK by the artist Cao Fei, which drew attention to a future of increased alienation, loss of privacy and digital surveillance. In the paper, the framework of a ‘techno-cultural imaginary’ shows how China's self-image is increasingly tied to modernisation. The paper demonstrates how the ‘two cultures’, science and the arts, have converged in policy thinking. In this reset, China's so-called cultural confidence is re-energised by digital platforms, echoing the description of Digital China. Sino-futurism, originally used in relation to Chinese sci-fi literature, provides a stepping-off point to imagine the future, which is alternatively characterised as techno-utopian (within China) and dystopian (in the West). Drawing on the qualitative analysis of publicly available interviews, media reports, online comments and close reading of the art content, the paper argues that XR allows the government to present Digital China as a positive blueprint for human progress. Meanwhile, XR is capable of generating critical stories about China, which contradict the message the government seeks to cultivate with its public diplomacy and propaganda campaigns.

Analysis on Antas Marketing Strategies in the 2022 Winter Olympics through Literature Analysis

In the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, Anta sports was seen everywhere. The shiny Chinese Red along with Antas logo on every single Chinese uniform, foreshadows Chinese players success and strengthens Antas brand identity as the Chinese national sports brand. This article focuses on Antas marketing strategies through a literature analysis of the 2022 Winter Olympics, which is the main factor in its success. This article analyzes Antas marketing strategies, including digitalization, brand identity, and technology. This article is formatted in the way of marketing strategies analysis along with their problems and suggestions. Anta successfully expanded its business in the 2022 Winter Olympics but still has areas of improvement in its marketing strategies. Anta Sports needs to improve its self-innovation by developing new technologies that improve production efficiency and product quality. Anta can also use AI technology and social media to optimize user profiles and recommendation algorithms in order to improve user stickiness.

Following mega sports events on social media impacts Gen Z travelers’ sports tourism intentions: the case of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games

ABSTRACT Social media engagement theory provides a theoretical perspective for understanding customers’ social media experiences. However, research on how the social media experience related to mega sports events influences the sports tourism behavior of Gen Z travelers is lacking. Sports tourism is defined as traveling away from home for non-commercial purposes in order to attend or take part in sports events. The current research aims to explore how the experience of following mega sports events on social media would affect Gen Z travelers’ sports tourism decision-making. We chose the 2022 Winter Olympic Games as the research context. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 20 Chinese Gen Z respondents in June and July 2022. The results revealed four overarching themes that explained the impact of the social media experience of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games on Gen Z consumers’ sports travel intentions: the attractiveness of winter sports, the image of the athletes, the appeal of the event venues, and the content generated by other social media users.

Mixing state and effective density of aerosol particles during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games

Abstract. Mixing state and density are two key parameters of aerosol particles affecting their impacts on radiative forcing and human health. Here a single-particle aerosol mass spectrometer in tandem with a differential mobility analyzer and an aerodynamic aerosol classifier was deployed during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games (OWG) to investigate the impacts of emission controls on particle mixing state and density. Our results show the dominance of carbonaceous particles comprising mainly total elemental carbon (Total-EC, 13.4 %), total organic carbon (Total-OC, 10.5 %) and Total-ECOC (47.1 %). Particularly, the particles containing organic carbon and sulfate were enhanced significantly during OWG, although those from primary emissions decreased. The composition of carbonaceous particles also changed significantly which was characterized by the decreases in EC mixed with nitrate and sulfate (EC-NS), EC mixed with potassium nitrate (KEC-N), and amine-containing particles and increase in ECOC mixed with nitrate and sulfate (ECOC-NS). This result indicates that emission controls during OWG reduced the mixing of EC with inorganic aerosol species and amines yet increased the mixing of EC with organic aerosol. The average effective density (ρeff) of aerosol particles (150–300 nm) was 1.15 g cm−3 during the non-Olympic Winter Games (nOWG), with higher values during OWG (1.26 g cm−3) due to the increase in secondary particle contribution. In addition, the ρeff of most particles increased with the increases in pollution levels and relative humidity, yet they varied differently for different types of particles, highlighting the impacts of aging and formation processes on the changes of particle density and mixing state.

Making compromises without a hurting stalemate, the change of the emblem of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games

The study unveils a unique case in the Paralympic Games through investigating the negotiation between the International Paralympic Committee and the Beijing Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games for the change of the emblem of the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games two years after its official release. Qualitative data is collected through interviews with senior personnel and archival documents and is analysed through employing the Advocacy Coalition Framework to highlight the change in the belief system of the two parties and the interaction between the policy subsystem and the broader political and social economic system. The findings reveal the shift in the belief system of respective Coalitions and the change in the power dynamics. The paper concludes with a discussion concerning the ACF’s four pathways of policy change and a response to one of the questions that is raised in the ACF literature for further researches.

Comparing the Differences in Media Coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics in Different Countries

The opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, which was successfully opened at the National Stadium of China on 4 February 2022, attracted widespread attention from domestic and international media, and the media in various countries were curious about such a grand opening ceremony and covered it from several angles. In this paper, 18 media outlets from 13 countries were selected for the study, and the advantages and disadvantages were fully analyzed and discussed, using textual and content analysis as the research method and culture clash, epidemic and environmental issues as the research content. The study found a diversity in the number of articles and content of coverage in the foreign media, with coverage focusing on several areas. while the use of words and expressions in the news texts varies from country to country, from media to media, and even from article to article in the same media, differences in the way the same event is narrated lead to different emotional trends in their texts.

The role of sports vocabulary in the formation of professional competence of Chinese athletes studying Russian

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the interest in the study of sports vocabulary in China, where the XXIX Summer Olympic Games (2008) and the XXIV Winter Olympic Games (2022) were successfully held. Thus, the sports diplomacy of the PRC and the Russian Federation is strengthening and its area is expanding: the PRC and the Russian Federation regularly exchange experience and personnel in the fields of sports journalism (sports media), sports medicine, sports and physical training, physical culture, etc. In the study of sports vocabulary, Chinese students can learn from the best practices of Russian specialists, and spread the values of physical culture and competitive spirit. This article substantiates the need to use new technologies to master the sports vocabulary by Chinese students, presents a variety of exercises on the topic of «Sports».

Integrated stochastic multicriteria acceptability analysis and data envelopment analysis with fixed-sum outputs: an application for evaluating participating nations in the Winter Olympics Games

Along with the popularity of Olympic Games, evaluating and ranking participating nations has become one of the hottest issues in recent years. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is extensively used for participating nations’ performance evaluation, while the prior literature mainly addresses the maximum efficiency by ignoring the weights diversity, which might lead to unreasonable and biased results. By considering the fixed-sum medals constraint, this paper proposes an integrated approach of stochastic multicriteria acceptability analysis (SMAA) and DEA for evaluating the participating nations. The proposed approach addresses the weights diversity and multiple equilibrium efficient frontiers by investigating the overall feasible space, and two strategies are considered to guarantee the fairness concern for calculating the efficiencies. Besides, the proposed approach provides both rank acceptability and holistic acceptability index to obtain the complete ranking from the best to the worst and to get the relative ranking relationship in the overall feasible space. The proposed approach can provide more reasonable performance measurements since it explores different rank positions and improves the whole satisfaction of all participating nations. Finally, the proposed approach is applied to empirically analyze the participating nations in the Winter Olympic Games from 2010 to 2022 and some valuable analytical results are provided.