Haidian's high-tech preparations hitting all the right buttons

With less than 90 days to go before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, cutting-edge technology is ensuring preparations for the Games are running as smoothly and safely as possible.

Beijing's Haidian district has just concluded hosting a series of Winter Games test events, including a leg of the ISU Short-Track Speed Skating World Cup at the Capital Indoor Stadium, which welcomed 232 athletes from 37 countries and regions, and an ice hockey competition at Wukesong Arena, featuring four local teams.

From event operation to pandemic prevention, the use of state-of-the-art technology is playing a key role.

Sanitizing robots, digital body temperature monitors and safety surveillance systems have been deployed at the venues to conduct coronavirus checks more efficiently.

In terms of broadcasting, virtual reality technology enhances the viewing experience during games.

With the test events being staged behind closed doors, special light effects simulated spectators waving glow sticks in the stands to create a better atmosphere for athletes.

"We used a series of technologies to strengthen the pandemic prevention work, including the smart venue operation center, participants' health management system, the smart body temperature monitor, our big data platform, the COVID-19 aerosol transmission monitoring system and air sterilization equipment," said Zhang Yanxiang, the director of Haidian sports bureau, at a media conference on Thursday.

"The pandemic has presented many difficulties and challenges for organizers, but we have still tried our best to prepare for a 'streamlined, safe and splendid' Winter Games. We have completed our test events, so next we will review everything and continue to refine our plans."

Even with technology playing such a big role, organizers are mindful not to neglect the human element.

According to Zhang, Haidian district boasts five designated hotels that offer language services for foreign athletes and officials.

Around 3,000 people were accommodated at the hotels, which formed part of a bio-secure bubble in Haidian during the test events. Since late September, Haidian provided 164 vehicles to transport participants from the hotels to the competition venues.

Moreover, Haidian devised 116 plans of action to cover all eventualities in pandemic prevention. A medical team, comprising 192 staff, was on call 24 hours a day during the test events. To guarantee everyone's safety, organizers conducted a total of 44,988 COVID-19 tests, with all results negative.

"The standards for hosting the test events are exactly the same as the standards we will adhere to during the Winter Olympics," said Shi Wei, deputy director of Wukesong Arena's operation service team, at Thursday's news conference.

"We need to simulate and consider all factors. From pandemic prevention, manpower, management systems, hardware tests, match organization, logistics and coordination, the Wukesong Arena has conducted comprehensive tests.

"Generally speaking, our tests have been a resounding success. We saw the effects and we achieved our goal of testing our plans, teams and preparation quality.

"In terms of the management, enhancing our work through the use of technology is a highlight. We built a smart and integrative management system, which features video surveillance, an online meeting function, smart venue operation and facial recognition."

Ensuring athletes, coaches, officials and media enjoy a "comfortable, warm and happy" stay is also a focus for organizers. Venue staff, for instance, organized celebrations for any participants' birthdays and sent flowers to reporters on Journalists' Day earlier this month.

"In terms of pandemic prevention, we combine manpower with cutting-edge technology. We use smart equipment to monitor people's body temperature inside the venue, and we will react quickly if we find any abnormal readings. We also have sanitizing robots and digital alert systems to automatically and remotely sanitize the venue," Shi added.

"The end of the test events is a new start for us. We will conduct a full review and identify any problems. We will strictly conduct the pandemic prevention regulations and keep refining our preparation work for the Winter Olympics."