Beijing: three Olympic villages officially opened – Sport

(ANSA) – ROME, JAN 27 – After the unofficial opening at the beginning of the week, the three Olympic villages, two in Beijing and one in Zhangjiakou, are now officially functioning for the athletes of the Beijing 2002 Winter Games, at eight days of the opening ceremony. The first two structures of Chaoyang and Yanqing in the Chinese capital have a total of about 3,500 beds, while the third one, located in Zhangjiakou, about 160 kilometers northwest of Beijing, has 2,800 beds, destined for athletes and managers. of the teams for the duration of the Winter Olympics scheduled from 4 to 20 February. The village of Chaoyang was designed to welcome mainly athletes who compete in sports such as skating, curling and ice hockey, while that of Yanqing for bobsleigh, sledding and alpine skiing. Finally, at the village in the Zhangjiakou area, 900 meters above sea level, cross-country and biathlon skiers, snowboarders, jumping and freestyle specialists are expected. The first delegations arrived at the beginning of the week, representing part of the contingent from Switzerland (the first ever), Great Britain, Canada and the United States. Then, also Finns and Australians, as well as Chinese athletes. (HANDLE).