Beijing Communist Party Secretary and President of the Beijing 2022 Organising Committee Cai Qi thanked and welcomed the athletes, offering words of peace and unity — a running theme throughout the opening ceremony.
“The Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 is to show the world how people boldly rise to challenges and forge ahead into the future that is being worked together to add a new chapter to building a community with a shared future for mankind,” he said.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach in turn thanked the Chinese people “wholeheartedly” for being “gracious hosts” and “welcoming us all so warmly” in his official speech in the opening ceremony.
He also extended gratitude to those on the front lines, including doctors and scientists, for their “outstanding efforts and solidarity” amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.
He made no direct mention of the alleged Uyghur genocide and crimes against humanity in the country but did emphasize the importance of peace and unity.
“You will live peacefully together under one roof in the Olympic village,” Bach told athletes. “There will be no discrimination for any reason whatsoever.”
“In our fragile world with division, conflict and mistrust on the rise, we show the world, yes, it is possible to be fierce rivals while at the same time living peacefully and respectfully together,” he added, saying this is the mission of the Olympic games.
He then said: “I appeal to all political authorities across the world: Observe your commitment to this Olympic truce. Give peace a chance.”