KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 31 (UPI) -- Beijing was awarded the hosting rights to the 2022 Winter Olympics on Friday, making it the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Games.
The International Olympic Committee, during its annual congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, chose Beijing over its only competitor Almaty, Kazakhstan in a 44 to 40 vote. The two cities were left in the running after Oslo, Munich and Stockholm bowed out over concerns that spending millions in public money isn't in their best interest. Many considered Beijing a poor choice because of tepid climates not known for winter activities.