The opening ceremony for this year’s Games in Beijing takes place on Friday 4 February at 11pm AEDT. The games will run until the closing ceremony, on Sunday 20 February at 1pm AEDT. Both of the ceremonies take place at the National Stadium in Beijing, however, this year, the games have been subject to diplomatic boycotts from the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada over China’s human rights record, including its treatment of Muslim minorities in Xinjiang.

COVID-19 has also contributed to delays and cancellations due to the implementation of strict health and safety protocols, as well as travel bans and restrictions on public attendance of the Games.

In spite of the boycott 44 Australian athletes are competing in 10 disciplines: Alpine skiing, bobsleigh, cross-country skiing, figure skating, freestyle skiing, luge, short track speed skating, skeleton and snowboarding. This year sees Australia’s highest percentage of women in a Winter Olympics team, accounting for half of the country’s mission.

  • Greta Small, Katie Parker, Madi Hoffmann and Louis Muhlen-Schulte are competing in Alpine Ski
  • Bree Walker and Kiara Reddingius are competing in Bobsleigh
  • Jessica Yeaton, Casey Wright, Phillip Bellingham, Lars Young Vik, Seve de Campo and Hugo Hinckfuss are competing in Cross Country Skiing
  • Danielle Scott, Gabi Ash and Laura Peel are competing in Aerials where Australia has a strong chance to get a medal
  • Jakara Anthony, Sophie Ash, Taylah O’Neill, Britt Cox, Matt Graham, James Matheson, Brodie Summers and Cooper Woods are taking part in Moguls with a good chance of distinction
  • Sami Kennedy-Sim is the only one in Ski-cross
  • Abi Harrigan will compete in Freeski
  • Alex Ferlazzo in Luge
  • Brendan Corey in Short Track Skating
  • Kailani Craine and Brendan Kerry in Figure Skating
  • Jackie Narracott and Nick Timmings in Skeleton
  • Josie Baff, Cam Bolton, Belle Brockhoff, Adam Dickson, Jarryd Hughes and Adam Lambert are competing in Snowboard Cross with a good chance to bring back even a gold medal
  • Emily Arthur, Valentino Guseli, Scotty James sit at the top of the ladder in Snowboard Halfpipe
  • Tess Coady and Matt Cox will also do their best in Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air hoping to grab a spot on the podium this year.

Xiao Junzheng, China’s ambassador to Greece, stressed that hosting a successful Olympic Winter Games is both China’s solemn commitment to the international community and a way to carry on the Olympic spirit.

Meanwhile, the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC), Spyros Capralos, is hopefull the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing will be both safe and successful for the Greek team which comprises of five athletes.

  • Maria Danou competes in Cross Country Skiing
  • Ioannis Antoniou will fight for a medal in the Slalom
  • Maria-Eleni Tsiovolou is Greece’s best chance for Alpine Skiing
  • Nefeli Tita and Apostolos Angelis will also be competing in the Cross Country Skiing

Danou and Antoniou, will be carrying the Greek national flag during the opening ceremony.