Winter Olympics inspectors give positive evaluation of Beijing's 2022 Games bid

BEIJING – International Olympic Committee inspectors are departing Beijing after offering a positive evaluation of the Chinese capital's bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

The inspectors' departure Sunday follows a news conference at which Evaluation Commission chairman Alexander Zhukov affirmed Beijing's embrace of the IOC's goals for a more frugal, sustainable and athlete-centered games.

Beijing is vying to become the first city to host both the summer and winter games. Its bid relies heavily on the experience and infrastructure gained by its hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics, along with expanding the appeal of winter sports in the world's most populous nation.

Beijing's inspections and presentations appeared to go off without a hitch, although the city's air pollution remained at high levels throughout the inspectors' visit.