01:00Mandatory credit: UNTV. For news purposes only. May not be sold or redistributed to third parties without the prior written consent of the UN or the UN entity.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres greeted Beijing from UN headquarters in New York on Friday for the opening of the 2022 Winter Olympics.
In his message, the UN chief wished good luck to the athletes, saying the Olympic spirit was one of “peace, mutual respect, and understanding.” He went on to express his hopes that the Olympics would be a reminder to everyone that “we belong to the same human family.”
The Beijing Winter Olympics kicked off on Friday, with a fireworks display marking the official start to the games, though the opening rounds of some events have already started.
While the event will host an estimated 60,000 athletes, including team officials, volunteers and media, the Olympic venues will remain inside a 'closed-loop system' amid fears of COVID-19 outbreaks spreading to the rest of Beijing and China.
This year's games have come under particular controversy due to attacks on host country China's human rights records, with many Western countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia and Lithuania refusing to send officials for the opening ceremony.
The Games will last until February 20. They will be followed by the Paralympic Winter Games on March 4, lasting until March 13.
UN: 'Ni hao Beijing' - Guterres wishes athletes good luck on opening day of 2022 Winter Olympics
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres greeted Beijing from UN headquarters in New York on Friday for the opening of the 2022 Winter Olympics.
In his message, the UN chief wished good luck to the athletes, saying the Olympic spirit was one of “peace, mutual respect, and understanding.” He went on to express his hopes that the Olympics would be a reminder to everyone that “we belong to the same human family.”
The Beijing Winter Olympics kicked off on Friday, with a fireworks display marking the official start to the games, though the opening rounds of some events have already started.
While the event will host an estimated 60,000 athletes, including team officials, volunteers and media, the Olympic venues will remain inside a 'closed-loop system' amid fears of COVID-19 outbreaks spreading to the rest of Beijing and China.
This year's games have come under particular controversy due to attacks on host country China's human rights records, with many Western countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia and Lithuania refusing to send officials for the opening ceremony.
The Games will last until February 20. They will be followed by the Paralympic Winter Games on March 4, lasting until March 13.
Mandatory credit: UNTV. For news purposes only. May not be sold or redistributed to third parties without the prior written consent of the UN or the UN entity.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres greeted Beijing from UN headquarters in New York on Friday for the opening of the 2022 Winter Olympics.
In his message, the UN chief wished good luck to the athletes, saying the Olympic spirit was one of “peace, mutual respect, and understanding.” He went on to express his hopes that the Olympics would be a reminder to everyone that “we belong to the same human family.”
The Beijing Winter Olympics kicked off on Friday, with a fireworks display marking the official start to the games, though the opening rounds of some events have already started.
While the event will host an estimated 60,000 athletes, including team officials, volunteers and media, the Olympic venues will remain inside a 'closed-loop system' amid fears of COVID-19 outbreaks spreading to the rest of Beijing and China.
This year's games have come under particular controversy due to attacks on host country China's human rights records, with many Western countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia and Lithuania refusing to send officials for the opening ceremony.
The Games will last until February 20. They will be followed by the Paralympic Winter Games on March 4, lasting until March 13.