Chinese citizens will be the only ones permitted to buy tickets to the upcoming Winter Olympics, according to a ruling today by the International Olympic Committee.
The IOC said in a statement its decision was made in consultation with the Chinese government.
“Tickets will be sold exclusively to spectators residing in mainland, who meet the requirements of the COVID-19 countermeasures. Specific requirements on COVID-19 countermeasures for spectators from mainland and the details of ticketing arrangements are under discussion and development and will be released to the public in due course once they are finalized.”
“The IOC and IPC welcome the decision to allow for the sale of tickets to spectators residing in mainland,” the committee added. “This will facilitate the growth of winter sports in China by giving those spectators a first-hand Olympic and Paralympic experience of elite winter sports, as well as bringing a favorable atmosphere to the venues. However, all parties feel for the athletes and the spectators from around the world, knowing that the restriction on spectators from outside mainland had to be put in place in order to ensure the safe holding of the Games this winter.”
The IOC previously said all participants in the 2022 Winter Olympics must be vaccinated. They IOC will review any requests for a medical exemption.
