KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Reuters) - Reaction to Beijing's
selection as host of the 2022 Winter Olympics:
"You put a huge effort into bidding on the Winter Olympics.
I hope your persistent efforts, solid work, the strong support
of all the nationalities of the people of the country, will make
the 2022 Winter Olympics a splendid, extraordinary and
outstanding Olympic meet" -- China President Xi Jinping.
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"This day will go down in history. The first time in Olympic
history that a city will host both a summer and a winter Olympic
years. In 120 years this is unprecedented. We are overwhelmed"
-- Beijing mayor Wang Anshun.
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"The Olympic motto of 'higher, faster, and stronger' is a
perfect description of the Chinese government's assault on civil
society: more peaceful activists detained in record time,
subject to far harsher treatment. In choosing China to host
another Games, the IOC has tripped on a major human rights
hurdle" -- Human Rights Watch China director Sophie Richardson.
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"We are very, very excited about what we achieved here
today. It is an exciting journey that is now starting" --
China's former NBA All-Star Yao Ming.
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"A safe and historical choice. With the great experience of
China hosting major international sports events, it's a safe
choice. We know China will deliver ion its promises" -- IOC
President Thomas Bach.
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"I think the IOC chose certainty in this vote. We know how
the Chinese work. There is a familiarity. Kazakhstan is bigger
than (Western) Europe and has 17 million people. I think there
was a degree of uncertainty" -- IOC Vice President Craig Reedie.
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"By bidding for the Winter Games we showed the world the
amazing progress that Kazakhstan has made since its
independence. This alone is a major victory for our country" --
Andrey Kryukov, the vice chairman of Almaty's bid team.
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"I regret that Almaty was not chosen to host 2022 Olympics.
I am very sorry for Kazakhstanis, our friends. I know how much
soul and heart Kazakhstan put in preparations" -- Russian Sports
Minister Vitaly Mutko.
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"This will be a memorable event at the foot of the Great
Wall for the whole Olympic Family, the athletes and the
spectators that will further enhance the tremendous potential to
grow winter sports in our country, in Asia and around the world"
-- Beijing 2022 Bid team.
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"Pyeongchang, Tokyo, and now Beijing - in quick succession
Asian cities have been bestowed with the honour and privilege of
hosting the Olympic Games. However, we also share a huge
responsibility. All of us at Tokyo are looking forward very much
to joining forces with our fellow Asian cities Pyeongchang and
Beijing to further contribute to the promotion of the Olympic
Movement" -- Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori.