THE China Open speed skating event, the first international competition of the Beijing 2022 test series, concluded Sunday after all elements of the Games were tested. The three-day competition witnessed athletes from China, the Netherlands and South Korea compete in 12 events at the National Speed Skating Oval, known as the “Ice Ribbon,” and won praise for its strict pandemic prevention and control measures, first-class competition facilities as well as organization. “This venue is grand and gorgeous, the pandemic prevention measures make me feel safe,” said Isabel Grevelt, a Youth Winter Olympics champion from the Netherlands. To ensure a safe and smooth international test competition, the organizers formulated an epidemic prevention manual that covered logistics, food, accommodation, transportation, training, competition and award ceremony, and a “closed-loop management system” was put in place for the test event, as is expected at the Games next year. “The pandemic prevention management of this competition provides athletes with great protection,” said Sophie Kraaijeveld of the Netherlands, who became the first international champion of the venue. The timing and scoring system, awarding ceremony, ice projection system, special lighting and other sports displays, doping control, and media reception and other services also went through tests during the competition, according to the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee. A total of 10 international competitions and three international training weeks are scheduled to be held by the end of the year. (Xinhua) | 