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BEIJING (AP) — Now that Beijing has made history as the first city to win hosting rights for both the Summer and Winter Olympics, the city has a lot of challenges to overcome in time for the 2022 Winter Games.
China will be looking to build support for winter sports, in a nation where few people ski or skate.
And China's tolerance for dissent and free expression may also be tested. Human rights groups are already criticizing the choice of Beijing, and there are expected to be demands to loosen restrictions on the Internet and on reporters.
But the overriding concern of Olympic officials is whether there will be enough artificial snow, in a region that is normally bone-dry. In the area around China's capital, a significant amount of water is already diverted away from agriculture uses, so that Beijing's 21 million residents will have enough to drink.
In a reflection of the lack of interest in winter sports among many Chinese, the celebrations of yesterday's announcement were muted in Beijing. It was a stark contrast to the dancing-in-the-streets euphoria the city witnessed in 2001, when it was awarded the 2008 Summer Games.
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141-r-11-(sound of International Olympic committee president Thomas Bach (bahk), opening the envelope and announcing the host of the 2022 Winter Olympics)-"Beijing"-Sound of International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach opening the envelope and announcing who will host the 2022 Winter Olympics. (31 Jul 2015)
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142-r-19-(sound of celebration, after it was announced Beijing will host the 2022 Winter Olympics)--Sound of celebration after it was announced Beijing will host the 2022 Winter Olympics. (31 Jul 2015)
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APPHOTO XHG116: Residents watch fireworks as they celebrate after Beijing is announced as the host city for the 2022 Winter Olympics at the ski resort region of Chongli where the Nordic skiing, ski jumping, and other outdoor Olympic events will be held in northern China's Hebei province Friday, July 31, 2015. Beijing was selected Friday to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, becoming the first city awarded both the winter and summer games. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (31 Jul 2015)
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APPHOTO XMAS108: A participant poses for a photo as he celebrates with others following the announcement that Beijing will host the 2022 Winter Olympics at a gathering outside the Beijing Olympic Stadium, also known as the Birds Nest, in Beijing, Friday, July 31, 2015. Beijing was selected Friday to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, becoming the first city awarded both the winter and summer games. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) (31 Jul 2015)
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