Can I Buy Winter Olympic Tickets? No. Here is Why.

Disappointing for many, but perhaps not unexpected, organizers of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympics Games stated on January 17, that tickets for the events would not go on sale to the general public.

Tickets are reserved for some spectators as part of an adapted program.

Unsurprisingly, COVID-19 was the reason for the new ticket policy.

The news comes despite a previous announcement in September of 2021, which stated that, while spectators would not be permitted to travel from outside the Chinese mainland to attend the Games, those residing in the Chinese mainland who met relevant COVID-19 prevention requirements can get tickets.

So, who exactly is in this adapted program?

The statement made clear that spectators would be targeted groups of people who met COVID-19 prevention requirements.

The adapted program may include representatives from Beijing government organizations and state-owned companies. According to COVID-19 prevention rules, individuals can not leave Beijing and would, therefore, likely pose a reduced risk regarding COVID-19.

However, at this point, we can only speculate as to who is allowed to enter the Olympics as a speculator.

What we know for now is that there will not be an ordinary public.

As with the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games, the ugly shadow of COVID-19 hangs over Beijing 2022. All those involved in the Games operate in a closed-loop environment to help prevent the spread of the virus, while China battles COVID-19 outbreaks in several places.