Beijing Winter Olympics set sail: 5 things to know

China hopes to boost winter sports participation and boast of COVID success

20220129 Beijing Olympic Games ice skating training

Team Netherlands speed skaters train in Beijing on Jan. 28. Some countries' governments have warned their athletes about Beijing's digital surveillance capabilities and that their data could be compromised. © Reuters

CK TAN, Nikkei staff writer

January 30, 2022 15:31 JST

SHANGHAI -- Beijing opens the 24th Winter Olympics on Friday as the host nation shrugs off so-called diplomatic boycotts and braces against possible COVID-19 outbreaks.