Lausanne (Switzerland), Feb 1 : The Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee and the IOC Athletes’ Commission Today  discussed the final preparations of the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing. With only three days left for the opening ceremony of Beijing 2022, the focus of the meeting was on the diligent preparations put in place by the organisers to allow athletes of the world to compete at their best while ensuring the safety of all participants. Addressing the Executive Board members, the chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, Emma Terho said, “In a few days, the Olympic Winter Games will open in Beijing and the athletes’ excitement is mounting. All are looking forward to competing in outstanding venues. “They are also very grateful to our Chinese hosts for organising these Games, despite the difficult circumstances and for the enthusiasm shown by the Chinese sports fans so far, albeit digitally. “The IOC and IOC Athletes’ Commission will support 2,900 athletes competing in Beijing, Zhangjiakou and Yanqing with a wide range of services available at the three Olympic Villages. Everything is in place to ensure that they have the best possible Olympic experience and enjoy their time here in China,” Terho added. Many of the 2,900 athletes, who are scheduled to compete at the Games, have already landed in Beijing or are about to arrive. Ben Cohen, Director General of the International Testing Agency (ITA), introduced the latest developments of the ITA, which is managing anti-doping programmes independently from international sports organisations and Major Event Organisers (MEO). IOC has delegated its testing programme and results management to the ITA and the sanctioning to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD). Cohen reported that over 5,400 recommendations for anti-doping tests were made by an expert panel ahead of the Games in Beijing after performing a thorough and independent risk assessment resulting in an additional layer of intelligence-led doping control guidance. The recommendations went to the International Federations (IFs) and National Anti-Doping Organisations, and the programme started already in 2021. Almost every athlete for whom a testing recommendation was issued has been tested at least once before the start of the Games. Over 50 IFs and MEOs have delegated their anti-doping programmes to the ITA in the meantime. Lastly, it was noted that at Beijing 2022 athletes will elect two members of the IOC Athletes’ Commission to replace those finishing their terms. Voting, which opened on January 27, will close on February 16. As many as 16 athletes are standing for election. Athletes from 91 National Olympic Committees are expected to compete at the Winter Games Beijing 2022, which will take place from February 4 to 20. (UNI)