Nba Ben Simmons Trade Rumors Lakers James Harden

Nba Ben Simmons Trade Rumors Lakers

James Harden Swopd to Philadelphia 76ers in Smash hit Motion as Ben Simmons heads to Brooklyn Nets.

The NBAs Swop deadline took place on Thursday, and fans were served some eye-catching deals.

The Newspaper headline of the day was the Smash hit Swop that saw James Harden go to the Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons Change of location in the Diametrical direction to the Brooklyn Nets.

Rumors of Hardens desire to leave Brooklyn had been percolating recently, Spell Simmons hasnt played all Time of year in an effort to Effect a Motion away from the 76ers.

They both got their wishes on Thursday.

Alongside Harden, the 76ers will receive Paul Millsap, Spell the 76ers sent Simmons, Seth Curry and Andre Drummond to Brooklyn, as well as two 1st round draft picks.

The Motion comes just 13 Calendar months after the Nets Noninheritable 2018 NBA MVP Harden to play Aboard Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

However, injuries and Another factors -- including Irvings Covid-19 Inoculation Condition, meaning he could only Characteristic intermittently -- have seen the Nets "Big Three" only take to the Base 16 Multiplication Unneurotic.

And Spell they looked impressive during those 16 outings with Harden a free agent this Summertime; the Nets Definite to Motion him on rather than lose him for Nix or pay him a huge contract.

Durant, who was Coming into court on TNTs coverage of the NBA All-Star Game draft as 1 of the captains, Aforesaid he was "happy we got guys who want to be part of this" when asked about the Swop.

He also made Information technology pretty clear he didnt want Harden on his All-Star Squad.

With the Alternative of Blue-ribboning him, Durant chose Another players, even on his Closing pick with Harden Nonmoving available.

"Im excited for our Squad," Durant Aforesaid.

"Looking Advancing to Coating the Time of year out with this new Grouping and these new players.

Playoffs are right around the corner so we got to fast-track Information technology to get used to each Another, but Im excited.

" Harden will Zerow be paired with Joel Embiid, who is having a Time of year for the ages and is 1 of the Firstrunners for this years NBA MVP award.

Harden, a 10-time All-Star, averages 25 points, 5.

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6 rebounds and 6.

7 assists over his career.

The 76ers managing partner Josh Harris gushed over the two new arrivals in Philadelphia.

"James Harden is 1 of the Genuinely elite players in the Conference.

His career has been defined by Undreamt of Someoneal Accomplishment, including honors as NBA MVP and Cardinal-time NBA Grading champion," Harris Aforesaid.

"Were Excited to pair him with Joel Embiid and this dynamic Roll in our pursuit of an NBA Championship.

I am proud to welcome James and Paul Millsap -- a Well-tried veteran and Early All Star -- to the 76ers, and cant wait for what the Proximo holds for the city and our fans.

" For Simmons, Information technology ends a holdout that has lasted Calendar months after he asked to be Swopd Briefly after the 76ers lost to the Atlanta Hawks in the 2nd round of the Eastern Conference playoffs last Time of year.

The No.

1 General pick in the NBA draft hasnt Affected to the court all Time of year but will Zerow get the chance to revive his career in New York with some big-name players.

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Over his four Time of years in the Conference, Simmons has averaged 15.

9 points, 8.

1 rebounds, and 7.

7 assists per Crippled Spell Shot 56% and Compilation 32 triple-doubles, Senior 13th in NBA Chronicle.

Visit CNN.

com/sport for More Word, Characteristics, and videos Nets head coach Steve Nash Aforesaid he is "excited to incorporate these new guys" into his Squad.

"We want him to do a lot of Matters for us," Nash Aforesaid after the Nets 113-112 loss in Washington on Thursday.

"I Consider his gift is that hes an Improbably athletic defender who is a creative passer, Undreamt of in Changeover and can also playmake out of pick and roll as a roller.

I Consider he can be dynamic for us in a lot of Shipway.

"I Consider he fits our Grouping really well and I Consider Information technologys really exciting to take on such a Gifted player whos ready to enter the 2nd Degree of his career and hopefully we can help him take a jump.

Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 First ceremony.

Here are answers to some of the burning questions you Power have about the 24th Winter Games.

How More Jocks Vie in the Winter Olympics? There are 91 delegations Competitory for 109 gold Decorations Crossways Vii Athleticss in Beijing.

According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), there will be about 2,900 Jocks doing their best in their Designated disciplines.

What is Underframe? One of the most Exciting Name Career in the Adventurous lexicon, skeleton is a fan Preferred at the Winter Olympics.

With Information technologys roots in sleighing, Jocks participate on the same Cartroad Crossways two Years, Acquiring four runs each.

The Challenger with the Quickest combined time wins the event.

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It fell in and out of the Olympic program for a Bi of years, before Information technology was reintroduced at the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics.

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Read More here on Oft asked questions.

To light the Olympic Caldron, China chose two Jocks: skiers Dinigeer Yilamujiang and Zhao Jiawen.

Like the rest of the Extremely choreographed ceremony, the choice of Dinigeer and Zhao appears Emblematical and deliberate.

Dinigeer is a Uyghur, an ethnic Nonage in Chinas far west region of Xinjiang — where China has been accused of massive human rights violations.

The United States and United Kingdom have gone so far as to accuse the Chinese Authorities of Race murder Once against the Uyghurs and Another ethnic minorities.

The US State Department estimates that up to two Cardinal people have been detained in internment camps in Xinjiang since 2017.

China says the camps are Job Education centers, aimed at combating Act of terrorism and Segregation, and has repeatedly denied accusations of human rights abuses in the region.

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Many Western countries refused to send Administrative unit delegations to Beijing for the Games due to the allegations of widespread rights violations in Xinjiang.

The decision to pair Dinigeer and Zhao — who is of Han decent, the dominant ethnicity in China — could be a propaganda display, as the ceremony was big on displays of ethnic unity.

In addition to the Mating of Zhao and Dinigeer, members of Chinas 56 Administrative unit ethnic Groupings joined to display the flag of the Peoples Republic.

China has, in recent years, deployed an all-out propaganda effort to Teddy the Communicatory in Xinjiang that Admits sending Country media reporters to the region to Purportedly "prove" In that location is Zero Oppressiveness In that location and Objecting Beijings critics Foreign.

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Beijing is the 1st city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics.

It held the Summer Games back in 2008 and won the host bid for the 2022 Winter Games in 2015.

Athens, Paris, London, Los Angeles and Tokyo have all hosted the Summer Games More than Formerly, according to the Olympics Site.

Beijings National Stadium, Ordinarily referred to as the Birds Nest, also is the 1st Locus to host First and closing ceremonies for both the Summer and Winter Olympics.

In 2008, the Sports stadium was used for competitions, but this year, Information technology will be only used for the ceremonies, according to the Land site.

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The Blowtorch connects the two Games as well, according to the Land site: "To honour Beijing's Condition as the world's 1st city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics, the 2022 Blowtorch Characteristics a Mistakable design to the 2008 Games' main Caldron, which resembled a Gargantuan Gyre, Highlight the Olympic Disembodied spirit's Bequest in the Chinese capital.

" As the Beijing Winter Olympics gets Current, Chinese Creative Someone Ai Weiwei is Formerly Once again criticizing Chinas ruling Communist Party — and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which he Aforesaid is "ignoring" the Base hit of the countrys Jocks by Antecedentitizing business and "standing next to the authoritarians.

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" The IOC "never remained as a Achromatic position.

They're always Still next to the authoritarians, or business – business is the 1st Object for them," he told CNNs Christiane Amanpour.

"Since the 2008 Olympics, they have been working with the Authorities's propaganda, and this time they're even More.

They are, you know, ignoring the top Jocks' from China's Base hit and Welfare, but rather to be part of a Country of propaganda, which is, Information technology's pretty sad.

" The world-renowned Chinese dissident and rights activist has been living in self-exile in Portugal since 2021.

Fearing for his Base hit were he to return to China, where he was Formerly detained for 81 Years for "inciting the Corruption of Country power," Ai has resided around Europe for All but Vii years.

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Years Antecedent to his departure from his home country, Ai Splendidly consulted on the design of the Locus hosting Friday Nighttimes First ceremony: The Beijing National Stadium, or "Birds Nest.

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" The open-roofed Anatomical structure, wrapped in Interlinking Brand structs, functioned as 1 of the main Locuss for the Summer Olympics in 2008.

A collaboration with Swiss Computer Designerure firm Herzog & de Meuron, the Sports stadium took five years to build and was designed to represent a new, Forward-looking China.

But the Creative Someone distanced himself from the project and criticized Chinas hosting of the Olympics ahead of the First ceremony, believing Information technology to be a propaganda tool at odds with what he felt were the Heavy realities of life in the country.

"Unfortunately, as an Designer, you cannot control how the building is being used," Ai told Amanpour in the interview, which airs Friday.

"For me Information technologys a big disappointment, Zerot only in how Information technologys being used but also in the directions China (has Affected) in past decades.

" A Bi of countries have boycotted the Beijing Winter Olympics.

This means that Spell their Jocks Vie in the Games, their Authorities Administrative units will Zerot be present in the country as is common practice.

Here are some countries that are boycotting the Games for different reasons.

United States: A "record Bi" of 177 US Jocks walked at the Opening Ceremony, despite the Biden administrations boycott of the Games in December as a Countryment Once against Chinas "ongoing Race murder and crimes Once against humanity in Xinjiang.

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" Australia, United Kingdom and Canada: The Cardinal countries Adopted the US and Declared a diplomatic boycott.

Japan: While Information technology Stopped-up Abbreviated of Career the decision a boycott, the Authorities also Declared in December that Information technology will Zerot be sending Cabinet Rectors or Elderly Administrative units to the Games, Expression Japan "believes that respect for human rights is important.

We made a decision comprehensively.

" India: The country Declared a diplomatic boycott on Thursday after China Definite to make a soldier involved in the June 2020 Galwan clashes as the Blowtorchbearer.

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  Public broadcaster Doordarshan also Declared Information technology will Zerot Televise the First and closing ceremonies live.

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 India has 1 Jock, skier Arif Khan, is Active at the Olympics.

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  In June 2020, at To the Last-place degree 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a bloody brawl with Chinese Soldiery in the Galwan Valley, close to Aksai Chin, an area controlled by China but claimed by both countries.

It is unclear if or how More Chinese soldiers died.

Both sides have accused the Another of overstepping the de facto border, the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that runs On the western Sphere of the Vale.

  Taiwan: The self-governing island, which With diplomacy boycotted the Games, is a Successful democracy, but the mainlands ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to view the island as an Indivisible part of Information technologys Territorial dominion — despite having never controlled Information technology.

Today, Dealings Betwixt Taipei and Beijing are at their Last-place point in decades.

When the Taiwan Squad entered the Sports stadium, the Olympic live Comment Declared "Chinese Taipei" – Taiwan's Administrative unit Epithet in the Olympics.

Chinese Country media CCTV, Still, introduced the Squad as "China Taipei" – a designation that implies the island is part of China.

  Seven Blowtorchbearers carried six Blowtorches in the Closing Blowtorch Electrical relay inside the Birds Nest.

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All the Blowtorchbearers are Chinese winter Athletics Jocks born in Consecutive decades – the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and the last two Blowtorchbearers from the 2000s.

The Consecutive Club is meant to show the continuity of winter Athleticss Crossways generations.

Here are the Jocks who served as Blowtorchbearers: 1980 Olympian Zhao Weichang, Upper skating 1992 Olympic Achromatic Decorationist Li Yan, Abbreviated Cartroad Two-time Olympic gold Decorationist Yang Yang, Abbreviated Cartroad 2020 Olympian Su Bingtian, Cartroad and Airfield Three-time Olympic gold Decorationist Zhou Yang, Abbreviated Cartroad The last Blowtorch was Joint by two 2022 Olympians —Yilamujiang Dinigeer, a cross-country skier from Xinjiang, and Zhao Jiawen, a Nordic Combined Jock — to celebrate Grammatical gender equality.

They lit the Olympic Caldron Unneurotic.

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The lighting of the Olympic Caldron Simon Marks the Administrative unit beginning of the Winter Games and the end of Fridays Opening Ceremony.

As the Opening Ceremony draws to Information technologys conclusion, the Olympic flag arrives inside the Birds Nest Sports stadium.

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Six Jocks take their time in walking the flag Crossways the Base to the flagpoles at 1 end.

They walk Betwixt the Slogan "Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together" which is beamed all over the Sports stadium Base.

A Grouping of 40 children sing the Olympic Hymn as the flag is raised Lento in First of the crowd.

Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the Beijing Winter Olympics open after a Address from International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.

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This was Adopted by a show of fireworks.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach uses his Administrative unit Address to Give thanks the Chinese people for Hospitable the Winter Olympics so warmly.

Bachs Contents go down well with the crowd who cheer Gung hoally.

The 68-year-old also Self-addressed the Covid-19 pandemic and Give thanksed scientists for Active "above and On the far side" to make the Games possible.

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The IOC has come under Stormy criticism in regards to Chinas human rights record and Bach told the Sports stadium, and the Cardinals around the world Observation, that the Olympics stood for a world with "no discrimination Any" and urged people to "give peace a chance.

" From the host Country, Chinese Jocks were the last to parade at the Opening Ceremony in Beijing Spell President Xi Jinping waved on.

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The Sports stadium changed Information technologys lighting to red as Team China enter.

Jinping has made a Conjunct effort to make China a Fundamental player in international Athleticss.

China has built 800 new ski resorts and having 300 Cardinal skiers in the country in time for the Winter Games, according to NBC, the Administrative unit rights Bearer for the Olympics for the United States.

With everybodys Preferred Bare-breasted Tongan, Pita Taufatofua, Zerot Competitory at this years Winter Olympics, American Samoas Nathan Crumpton ensured we were Zerot Disadvantaged of a shirtless flag bearer.

While his Athletics of Underframe — racing Forward down an ice Cartroad at Uppers Prodigious 80mph on just a Decreased tray — requires a lot of bravery, coming out to temperatures of -5°C with just a Ample layer of oil to keep him warm is Peradventure even More daring.

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Crumpton is American Samoas lone Player at these Games and the Gifted Jock also Vied at the 2020 Olympics in the 100m.

Olympians representing Taiwan at the Beijing Winter Olympics paraded ahead of athletes from China's Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong — a position which could be seen as implying China's Reign over the island.

  When the Taiwan Squad entered the Sports stadium, the Olympic live Comment Declared "Chinese Taipei" – Taiwan's Administrative unit Epithet in the Olympics.

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  Beijing has Antecedently Recommended Information technologys "one country, two Arrangements" Chemical formula for Hong Kong could be adopted in Taiwan "upon Reunion.

" Taiwan is With diplomacy boycotting the Beijing 2022 Games.

  Some background: Taiwan and mainland China have been Individually governed since the Nationalists retreated to Taiwan at the end of the Chinese civil war More than 70 years ago.

Taiwan is Zerow a Successful democracy, but the mainlands ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to view the island as an Indivisible part of Information technologys Territorial dominion — despite having never controlled Information technology.

Today, Dealings Betwixt Taipei and Beijing are at their Last-place point��in decades.

 Earlier this Calendar month, Chinas military sent a record Bi of warplanes into the air around Taiwan.

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US Jocks Brittany Bowe and John Shuster were the flag bearers for the US contingent of Jocks Competitory at the Beijing Winter Olympics.

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The Squad paraded at the Opening Ceremony after the Biden administration Declared in December that Information technology will Zerot send an Administrative unit US delegation to the Games as a Countryment Once against Chinas "ongoing Race murder and crimes Once against humanity in Xinjiang.

" US Jocks are Nonmoving be allowed to Vie in the Olympics, but the administration will Zerot be sending Authorities Administrative units to the Crippleds.

The same Insurance policy applies for the Paralympic Games, which are also Attractive place in Beijing.

The White House is looking to send a "clear Content" that the human rights abuses in China mean In that location cannot be "business as usual," Psaki told reporters at a White House briefing.

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The Motion Simon Marks an escalation of pressure by the US on China over allegations of Effectd labor and human rights abuses in Chinas western region of Xinjiang, particularly Once against the Uyghur Universe and Another ethnic and religious Nonage Groupings.

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The Jocks that will make up Team USA have the administrations "full Musical accompaniment," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki Aforesaid, but she added the administration would Zerot be "contributing to the Tucket of the Crippleds.

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" Team USA Chief Rick Adams confirmed a "record Bi" of 177 US Jocks would walk at the Opening Ceremony.

While More Countrys have Abundant Squads to Musical accompaniment each Another during the Winter Olympics, Meagerly a Idea for those with just the 1 representative.

A Absolute of 19 delegations have only 1 Jock Competitory at Beijing 2022 and theyve been making their way out onto the Base at the Birds Nest Sports stadium.

Fortunately, those Jocks have a crowd of Gung ho volunteers to make the walk a little less lonely.

Full list of Squads with just 1 representative: Albania American Samoa Cyprus Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Ecuador Eritrea Ghana Haiti India Kyrgyzstan Malta Morocco Nigeria Pakistan Peru Phillippines Saudi Arabia Uzbekistan US Virgin Islands President Vladimir Putin waved as the Russian Jocks paraded at the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Beijing.

Putin Change of locationed to China to hold a Acme with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, before the ceremony began.

The two Leadership issued a call for NATO to halt Far expansion, according to a joint Countryment Free by the Kremlin.

This comes as tensions on the Ukraine-Russia border remain at their highest in years.

But isnt Russia Prohibited? Russian Jocks are Competitory under the Epithet ROC, which Outdoor stages for the Russian Olympic Committee.

This is an Chance for clean Russian Jocks to Vie in the Olympics Spell their country Clay Prohibited from the Games because of a doping Malicious gossip.

They will be Competitory under the Achromatic banner for the 2nd consecutive Games after they did so at last years Tokyo Olympics.

The Jocks are making their way into Beijings Birds Nest Stadium via a Striking entrance, which is Delineate as representing the "Gate of China" and "Window of China.

" The Particular Personal effects make both appear as though they are made of ice, with the motifs Glorious by Long-standing Logic William Henry Gates and Windowpanes Crossways the country.

"The Gate of China symbolizes that China opens Information technologys doors to welcome the world to the Olympic Winter Games," the Administrative unit Opening Ceremony explainer reads.

"The Window of China, Direct which the Brilliant Scene is showcased, expresses the idea of Sighted China Direct an open Windowpane.

" As the Jocks continue making their way into the Birds Nest Sports stadium, take a look at the best Pics from the curtain Cultivator so far.

From an LED Bloom display to Undreamt of lights shows, the ceremony has already Well-tried Striking.

Take a look here.

India has 1 Jock, alpine skier Arif Khan, Competitory in the Winter Olympics.

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He paraded at the Opening Ceremony in Beijing just Years after India Declared a diplomatic boycott of the Games.

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This announcement came after a commander involved in 2020 border clashes Betwixt the two countries appeared as an Olympic Blowtorchbearer in the customary Blowtorch Electrical relay leading up to the Games.

The last-minute boycott, which will see Indias top envoy in Beijing sit out Fridays Opening Ceremony, adds the worlds most Inhabited democracy to a list of Western Countrys who already have launched their own diplomatic no-shows, citing Chinas human rights record — Scope the tone for a Debatable Olympic Games.

  Following the Administrative unit Motion, Indias public Spreader Doordarshan also announced it will Zerot Televise the Opening and Closing Ceremonies live.

Japan announced in December that Information technology will Zerot be sending Cabinet Rectors or Elderly Administrative units to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics but Stopped-up Abbreviated of Career the decision a diplomatic boycott.

  Japans Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno made the announcement in a press conference, Expression Japan "believes that respect for human rights is important.

" Matsuno added that Tokyo Olympic chief Seiko Hashimoto, Japanese Olympic Committee chief Yasuhiro Yamashita and Japan Paralympic Chief Kazuyuki Mori will Nonmoving be attending the event.

The Opening Ceremony may have just begun in Beijing but competition is already Current elsewhere.

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A host of Athleticss including ice hockey, luge and Triple ski events have already Firsted ahead of what is a Striking curtain Cultivator.

Curling is Some other of the Athleticss to have already began Information technologys preliminary rounds and the Athletics has become a fan Preferred every time the Games come around.

Read More about 1 the most popular events at the Winter Olympics here.

Athletes of the Active countries have begun parading into the Olympics Opening Ceremony, Opening with Greece.

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Remember: They are Zerot coming in Western alphabetical Club.

The Chinese writing Arrangement has characters composed of strokes.

The countries are Clubed by the Bi of strokes that are counted in the 1st character of the Chinese Epithet, from Last-place to highest.

President Xi Jinping sparked the loudest cheer of the Nighttime so far as he waved to the crowd as the Opening Ceremony began.

He also waved to International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach before Attractive his Fanny.

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He stood up Formerly Once again to sing the General Hymn as the Chinese flag was raised Inside the National Stadium.

Outside the arena, volunteers Gathering to watch what is so far a Striking curtain Cultivator for this years Winter Olympics.

The Opening Ceremony for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony at the Beijing National Stadium is Current.

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It will last 100 Transactions, end with fireworks and will Characteristic an estimated 3,000 performers.

Teenagers account for 95% of the performers at the ceremony, according to Country media.

  Director Zhang Yimou returns 14 years after Directive the 2008 Opening Ceremony.

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 He Aforesaid this time around, the show won't be as Noble or as long — 2008 Enclosed 15,000 Players.

Some 150,000 Spectator pumps will be invited to attend the 2022 Winter Games, according to the Vice President of the Beijing Organizing Committee, Yang Shuan.

Yang Aforesaid Olympic Locuss will be Cut evenly Betwixt Spectator pumps from inside the "closed loop" Arrangement, which Segregateds Games-related Someonenel from the public, and those living External of Information technology.

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Beijing has Implemented a Hard-and-fast "closed loop" Arrangement to combat the Distributed of Covid-19 among Olympics-related Someonenel.

Since the Arrangement Administrative unitly began on Jan.

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23, a Absolute of 308 Olympic-related Covid-19 cases have Zerow been Known, 111 of which involve Jocks or Squad Administrative units.

The 150,000 Spectator pumps from External the "closed loop" will Admit international people residing in mainland China, diplomatic Someonenel, Merchandising partners, winter Athleticss enthusiasts, residents and local students, he explained.

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Spectators inside the "closed loop" will consist of members of the Olympic Class, National Olympic Committees delegations, Jocks, media representatives and Spreaders, Yang added.

  On January 17, the IOC Declared Just the tickets for the Games would Zerot go on sale for international visitors or the Universal public, citing Covid-19 concerns.

Instead, Information technology Definite Groupings of Spectator pumps would need to be invited to fill the Outdoor stages.

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  ##Coronavirus## Reigning men's Nordic Combined world champion Jarl Magnus Riiber will miss his First event of the Beijing Olympics after Examination positive for Covid-19, Norway's Olympic Committee Representative Gro Eide confirmed to CNN.

Several Squadmates of Riiber have been Known as close contacts, Eide confirmed without providing Name Career.

"The gold is yours, guys," the Norwegian champion wrote on his Instagram account with a Computer virus emoji and a winking Brass.

Riiber is a four-time World Champion and won a Achromatic Decoration at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics in the men's Squad event.

The 1st men's Nordic Combined Decoration event takes place on Wednesday (February 9) with the individual Sane hill.

##Coronavirus## It's less than Fractional an hour to go before the Opening Ceremony for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics Administrative unitly kicks off.

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Inside Beijing's National Stadium, also Identified as the Bird's Nest, the Fannys are about Fractional Full, with Spectator pumps Nonmoving at To the Last-place degree 1 Fanny apart.

Two MCs have Affected to the Degree and have Firsted warming up the audience, instructing them to Practise countdowns, Vociferation slogans -- including the Games Slogan "Together for a Joint Proximo" -- and wave flashlights on their phones.

With temperatures Descending below Freeze in the open-air Sports stadium, More Spectator pumps are Shaky, holding on to the blankets One-handed out by organizers.

A pre-show involving dancers and a light show has also gotten Current.

Marco Balich knows a Matter or two about Olympic ceremonies.

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The Italian creative director has been involved in a record 14 Games, including his role as Executive Producer of both Rio 2016 Olympic ceremonies.

Balich Rundle to CNN ahead of the Beijing 2022 Opening Ceremony to explain the huge Functioning behind creating 1 of the worlds biggest Eyeglasses.

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"It's a two-year process," he explained.

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"In fact, Information technology could be comparable to a major Characteristic film in Hollywood studios.

"It's six Calendar months to create the idea, six Calendar months to create the budgeting, six Calendar months to Epitome and the last six Calendar months of Abrasive Education and rehearsals.

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" In charge of Nows Winter Olympic Opening Ceremony is Illustrious Chinese Film maker Zhang Yimou, who also oversaw the Opening and Closing Ceremonies at Beijing 2008.

Given the complications Covid has provided over the past two years, Balich says Zhangs creative process will have been Well More difficult than Information technology was All but 14 years ago.

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He believes "computer-driven Roger Sessions of Creativeness" can never adequately replace the in-person interactions that make the creative process so unique.

"Creativity Necessarily live exchanges and In that location is Zero question about that," he explained.

"I mean, nuances are made Direct a rapid exchange which you cannot do Betwixt two computers.

"So I Consider the difficulty that Zhang Yimou and the Tokyo people went Direct, the process was how you create a Acoustics Communicatory without working elbow-to-elbow around a Board.

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" The Winter Olympics in Beijing get Current on February 4 with close to 3,000 Jocks from 91 Countrys Competitory Crossways 109 Decoration events.

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The Games will be held under Hard-and-fast Covid-19 countermeasures and Characteristic Vii different Athleticss.

There will also be new events in bobsled, freestyle skiing, Blowboarding, Abbreviated Cartroad and ski Jump.

A Elaborated Agenda of events is available on the Olympics Site, as is a list of Games Spreaders in every country around the world.

In the United States, NBC has the broadcast rights to the Games.

Viewers will also be able to Adopt the action on NBCOlympics.

com and the NBC Sports app.

Here is a Abbreviated list of rights Bearers in Designated Another countries: Australia: Seven Network Canada: CBC, Radio Canada, Bell Media (TSN and RDS), Rogers Media (Sportsnet), Telelatino Network India: Olympics.

com Ireland: Eurosport Mexico: Claro Nigeria: Supersport Philippines: Cignal TV Singapore: Mediacorp South Korea: SBS, KBS, MBC United Kingdom: Eurosport, BBC Read here for More.

The FBI is urging Olympic Jocks to leave their Someoneal cell phones at home and instead take burner phones to the Beijing Winter Olympics, citing the potential for "malicious cyber activities.

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" While Zerot aware of "any Ad hoc cyber Menace Once against the Olympics" the FBI added Information technologys important that those at the Games be "vigilant and maintain best practices in their Electronic network and digital environments.

" "The FBI urges all Jocks to keep their Someoneal cell phones at home and use a Ephemeral phone while at the Crippleds.

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The National Olympic Committees in some Western countries are also advising their Jocks to leave Someoneal devices at home or use Ephemeral phones due to cybersecurity concerns at the Games," the agency Aforesaid in a Notification.

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The warning comes amid rising concerns by US General Certificate Administrative units about Chinese espionage and intellectual property Thievery.

Read the Awash Tale: ##Politics## Carrying your countrys flag during the Opening Ceremony at an Olympic Games is a massive honor and 1 only few Jocks will able to experience in their lifetimes.

So ahead of the ceremonial beginning of the Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium, here are the flagbearers for some of the Games biggest players: China: Gao Tingyu and Zhao Dan Canada: Marie-Philip Poulin and Charles Hamelin  Germany: Claudia Pechstein and Francesco Friedrich Japan: Arisa Go and Akito Watabe The Netherlands: Lindsay van Zundert and Kjeld Nuis  Norway: Kristin Skaslien and Kjetil Jansrud ROC: Olga Fatkulina and Vadim Shipachyov US: Brittany Bowe and John Shuster Chinese Film maker Zhang Yimou's First ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics was, for More, the Permanent memory of China's 1st Games.

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  In a display of color, coordination and Pyrotechny, the celebrated director Declared the country's arrival on the world Degree in dramatic Manner, complete with performers "painting" on an LED Gyre, an ode to China's Blank program and 2,008 drummers Intonation and Performin in unison.

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The production set a high bar for Proximo directors -- including himself -- because All but 14 years later, Zhang is back to Manage the Winter Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

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"The burden is very Punishing," he told Country Word agency Xinhua in an interview last Calendar month, Reflective on the pressure of becoming the 1st Someone to direct both Summer and Winter Games ceremonies.

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  But much has changed -- in China and the world -- since 2008.

The pandemic: For 1, the Leakproof Covid-19 restrictions have posed Fundamental Logistic difficulties.

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While in 2008 Zhang was able to call on around 15,000 Opening Ceremony performers, this year's cast is just a 5th of that.

The show is also expected to be Fundamentally Abbreviateder, down from four hours to just over an hour and a Fractional, though this is Part due to the cold weather and Base hit concerns.

China on the world Degree: Perhaps More Significantly, though, the way China views Information technologys place in the world has also undergone a profound Translation in the intervening years.

"In 2008, the Olympics was a brilliant Degree and chance for our country to show ourselves," Zhang told Xinhua.

"In fact, In that location are a plenty of pages Crossways our 5,000-year Chronicle that we would like to present to the world.

Our civilization, our Chronicle, and how we got to where we are Now.

"It's different Zerow.

China's Condition in the world, the image of the Chinese, and the rise of our General Condition, everything is Absolutely different Zerow.

" Opening Ceremony: What this means for the themes and design of 2022's ceremonies remain to be seen.

Details about proceedings are Leakproofly under wraps, but Zhang hinted that the Caldron-lighting could be More Striking than 2008's, which saw Early gymnast Li Ning circling the Bird's Nest Sports stadium Delayed on high wires.

"It will be Unexampled in the over 100-year Chronicle of the Olympic Games," Zhang Aforesaid, adding: "I'm very Excited.

I Consider Information technology's Absolutely innovative and people will be Astonied.

" Read More: http://www.

com/style/article/zhang-yimou-olympics-opening-closing-ceremony/index.

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html The US State Department has Joint information about Chinas alleged human rights abuses with US Olympians and defended Jocks right to express Confrontation to those alleged violations on the eve of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.

"US Jocks are entitled to express themselves freely in line with the Disembodied spirit and charter of the Olympics, which Admits advancing human rights.

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We call on the PRC to respect human rights and Central Exemptions, including that very Exemption of expression," State Department Rundlesman Ned Price Aforesaid Wednesday.

Protest ban: The Olympic Charters Rule 50 dictates that "no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic Land sites," but Information technology does Zerot Forbid voicing concerns on Ethnic media or during media interviews.

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Chinese warning: Athletes should Zerot express anything "against the Olympic Disembodied spirit," an Administrative unit on the Beijing organizing committee Aforesaid recently, without acknowledging the rule doesnt Forbid Exemption of expression External Olympic Land sites.

It Clay unclear what kinds of protests Jocks Power partake in, but the comments could have a chilling effect on some Challengers.

Allegations Once against China: The United States has Aforesaid that China is committing Race murder and crimes Once against humanity against Uyghur Muslims and ethnic and religious Nonage Groupings who live in the western region of Xinjiang.

China has also Suppressed dissent, Affected political prisoners and set up invasive surveillance of Information technologys Universe, critics and US Administrative units say.

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China denies the allegations and has called for the US to "stop Meddlesome" with the Olympics.

Read More: ##Politics## Foreign journalists Springinessn Spectator pump Just the tickets to the Opening Ceremony have to undergo four Covid-19 tests -- 48 and 24 hours before the event, and 24 hours and Vii Years after.

You also have to be vaccine-boosted and be in Beijing for at To the Last-place degree 14 Years ahead of the ceremony.

On Friday, we Gatheringed at our meeting point eight hours before the Agendad Opening time of the ceremony.

We boarded the waiting bus after Faculty verified our Covid-19 test results and were then Springinessn a Pic ID for the event.

We were then Affected to an elaborate Certificate check area set up at Chaoyang Park, Nonmoving miles away from the Sports stadium.

No bags allowed so everyone has been Dressing phones and power Sir Joseph Banks in pockets.

Once cleared, we entered a Certificate bubble and switched to a different "clean" bus, where minders One-handed out the actual Just the ticket as well as bag of snacks and water.

The bus left for the Sports stadium around 3 p.

local time Change of locationing Direct an All but Unaccessible city as police cordoned off streets for Olympic Dealings.

Upon entering the Olympic Green, the bus traversed down winding Roadstead in Hunt of the Bird's Nest.

We Closingly Stopped-up and then Information technology was Some other long march to the Sports stadium.

After Fractional an hour or so, we Closingly reached the actual entrance.

Another Certificate check and we were into the Sports stadium Background, which felt Spookily quiet for the Games' curtain Cultivator.

Inside, Spectator pumps were Appointed every Another Fanny with plenty of empty 1s by the time the pre-show was about to begin.

With the temperature fast Descending, Information technology Firsted to feel Freeze in the Sports stadium even with layers of winter Wearing apparel.

In goodie bags, organizers provided each Spectator pump with a Weak Sheepskin blanket and some Someoneal Heater patches -- Zerot forgetting a chocolate bar.

The mascot for the Winter Olympics is Bing Dwen Dwen -- a panda dressed in a Awash-body "shell" made out of ice -- and Shuey Rhon Rhon for the Paralympics, a Chinese lantern child.

Bing Dwen Dwen (Bing means "ice" in Mandarin Chinese, Spell Dwen Dwen means "child") was chosen from More than 5,800 submissions from around the world.

The "shell" design enables the panda -- Chinas General animal -- to skate, Blowboard and ski.

According to the Paralympic Site, Shuey is the same Orthoepy as the Chinese character for "snow," the 1st Rhon means "to Admit, to Allow," and the 2nd means "to melt, fuse and warm.

" Authorities have stepped up Certificate around Beijing 2022 Locuss as Fridays Opening Ceremony fast approaches.

Lots of Circumferent streets are blocked off around the Beijing National Stadium, Ordinarily referred to as The Birds Nest, which will host the curtain Cultivator.

There are crowds of Certificate guards in the area and Triple Logic William Henry Gates to pass Direct in Club to get to the Sports stadium.

There is also the closed loop to contend with as organizers bid to Check the Distributed of Covid-19 during the Games.

Anyone entering the bubble must be Awashy Insusceptible, or Brass an Additive 21-day quarantine upon arrival in Beijing, before being allowed in.

They must also use an app to upload their body temperature and answer questions about their Wellness Condition every day.

Participants will be Time-tested for Covid-19 every day and must wear Brass masks at all Multiplication.

The Wager for catching Covid-19 at Beijing 2022 are extremely high.

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Participants who test positive will be In real time removed from the Games.

Those who are Diagnostic will be sent to a Selected Infirmary for Discourse, Spell Symptomless cases will be Affected to an Closing off Quickness.

They wont be allowed to return to the bubble until all symptoms disappear and they test Destructive Double in a row -- meaning theyll All but Surely miss their event.

The PCR tests for the Beijing Winter Games are also More Tight than those used by Anothers Athleticss events, such as the NBA and NHL, meaning they can return positive at a lower Infective agent load.

A positive test can also affect the Someones Squadmates and colleagues.

Anyone who has had a mask-less exposure for Thirster than 15 Transactions to an Contaminated Someone is considered a close contact and will be Affected to Double daily Examination.

The Arrangement -- and Chinas Responsive Examination Insurance policy -- has already been put to the test after German-born Belgian Underframe racer Kim Meylemans Time-tested positive upon her arrival into Beijing and was sent to an Closing off Quickness.

Her emotional Instagram post and Later involvement from the IOC shows how Critical China is about limiting any hint of infection.

##Coronavirus## Bilateral Dialogue are Current in Beijing Betwixt Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Loss leader Xi Jinping at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, according to Chinese Country media.

  In their 1st in-person meeting in over two years, the two Leadership will discuss bilateral Swop and key issues on "regional and Spherical agendas," according to a letter by Putin Promulgated Thursday by Xinhua News Agency, ahead of the meeting.

   In the same letter, Putin praised the "new era" of Dealings Betwixt China and Russia and highlighted the Flourishing economic and energy ties Betwixt the two countries.

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  According to Chinese Country media, Xi Aforesaid that the pair met at the Opening Ceremony at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, at which they Secure theyd meet eight years later in Beijing, and that he hopes their meeting will "inject More vitality into China-Russia Dealings.

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" Chinas President is expected to host a Serial of bilateral meetings Friday and a banquet for dignitaries attending the Winter Games -- including United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, according to Beijing.

The Games are a big Consequence for Lydia Gunko, Ukraines 1st Distaff bobsledder at the Winter Olympics — 1 of the new Athleticss being debuted in Beijing.

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This competition is "extremely important .

for the development of this Athletics in Ukraine," Gunko told CNN, adding she hopes her appearance will have an impact back home.

But looming over her debut is the Outdoor stage-off Betwixt Ukraine and Russia, with tensions high after thousands of Russian Soldiery Motiond to the border Betwixt the two Countrys.

Ukrainians warned to avoid Russians: Ukraines Athleticss Rector has already Aforesaid Information technologys Jocks should stay away from their Russian rivals — who, like in Tokyo 2020, are Competitory under the ROC banner Once again because of a doping Malicious gossip — at the Games, and that Ukrainian Jocks have been briefed on how to behave in case of "provocations.

" Gunko, 28, Aforesaid she will Adopt the Counseling, adding the conflict has weighed on her mentally ahead of the Games.

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"We are clearly Zerot friends with the Russian Jocks," Gunko told CNN.

"We have to Wagon train and perform with them but because their country wants to violate our Unity, we cannot have easy contact with them.

" She added: "You try to distance yourself from all of this during competition and Education.

Of course, in real life, you cant isolate yourself because More friends and acquaintances suffered from Russias actions.

" Read the Awash Tale: ##Politics## Having been Mostly Certain off from the world for two years, Beijing is Zerow Hospitable the arrival of thousands of International Olympians, Administrative units, journalists and Musical accompaniment Faculty — including from countries where the Extremely Ancestral Omicron variant is raging.

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Whether Chinese Regime can keep the Games Covid-safe is the ultimate test of Chinas zero-Covid Scheme.

To limit the Distributed, Information technology is Waterproofing the entire Games inside what Regime have called a "closed loop Arrangement" — a bubble Altogether cut off from the rest of the city.

Heres how Information technology works: The Beijing bubble is Hospitable an estimated 11,000 people from around the world — and they will be shuttling Direct Cardinal competition zones up to 111 miles (180 kilometers) apart.

Securing the bubble will require massive Work force, Fastidious Provision, Permeative surveillance and rigorous Authorities enforcement.

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The Breakup: Participants will be confined to the "closed loop" and they will Vie, work, eat and Nap without making any contact with the wider Chinese Universe.

The "closed loop" consists of a Serial of Sports stadiums, conference centers and More than 70 hotels, with those in downtown Beijing Enclosed off and closely Restrained by police; Information technology even has Information technologys own Department of Transportation Arrangement, with 4,000 vehicles dedicated to Affecting Players from place to place.

The Cardinal zones are Joined by high-speed Wagon train and highways.

To maintain the Breakup, even the Wagon train cars are divided, and the closed-loop buses are Springinessn Particularly marked lanes.

Drivers Zerot part of the Olympics who cross into these lanes will be Penalized.

Athletes, Faculty and volunteers inside the closed loop will also be Apart from Spectator pumps, who have their own Conveyance and entrance to the events.

  Inside the bubble: Anyone entering the bubble must be Awashy Insusceptible, or Brass an Additive 21-day quarantine upon arrival in Beijing before being allowed in.

Participants will be Time-tested for Covid every day and must wear Brass masks at all Multiplication.

##Coronavirus## The White House was lit up in red, white and blue — the colors of the American flag — on Thursday Nighttime, in Musical accompaniment of American Jocks Competitory at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

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"Go Team USA!" a Twinge from the White Houses Administrative unit account read.

Though the US sent Information technologys athletic Squads to the Games, Information technology Definite Zerot to send any Authorities Administrative units to attend as part of a diplomatic boycott, Protestant alleged human rights abuses Once against Uyghur Muslims in Chinas Xinjiang region.

The decision was met with Enraged warnings of Revenge from China, which denies the allegations.

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Several Another countries, including Canada and Australia, have also joined the diplomatic boycott.

##Politics## In a Content to Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the First ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, North Korean Loss leader Kim Jong Un hailed the event as proof that "no difficulty and challenge can ever prevent the Chinese people from Smartly advancing.

" The Content, Promulgated in North Korea's Country-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), also called Beijing's hosting of the event amid a Spherical Wellness crisis and "unprecedented Stern circumstances" a "great Triumph won by Ethnicist China.

" Kim called the Olympics "a Fete common to the peoples and Athleticsspersons of all countries in the world Wishful after peace, Friendly relationship and solidarity.

" ##Politics## A world record was set Friday in the Pattern skating Squad event — and Information technology came from the host Country.

China dazzled in the Tertiary Section of Fridays School term: pairs skating.

Sui Wenjing and Han Cong, skating to Euphony from the Moving-picture show "Mission Impossible 2," set a Abbreviated program world record Account of 82.

83 points.

After Cardinal Sections of the Absolute eight, the United States leads with 28 points.

The ROC (Russian Olympic Committee) has 26 points, Spell China is in Tertiary with 21 points.

The Squad event is Agendad to conclude Monday.

To First off the Squad event Friday, American men's Pattern skater Nathan Chen put the US in the lead with his performance in the men's Only Abbreviated skate portion of the program.

Chen, a Cardinal-time world champion at just 22 years old, Zerotched a Someoneal best of 111.

71 to Springiness Team USA 10 points.

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Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue extended Team USA's lead, adding 10 points for their top performance in the ice dance rhythm dance portion of the Squad competition.

While the Chinese capital, Beijing, is the Administrative unit host city of the Games, Locuss are Distributed Crossways Cardinal areas.

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The capital is home to the Beijing National Stadium, Ordinarily referred to as The Birds Nest, and will host the First and closing ceremonies and skating events.

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Yanqing — a Hilly district 75 kilometers (about 47 miles) Northwardwest of Beijing — is  the Land site of the alpine skiing and Slippery events.

And Zhangjiakou is a Nordic skiing and Blowboarding destination a Far 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) On the far side Yanqing.

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Of the 13 Locuss hosting events, 1 — the National Speed Skating Oval — has been Recently built in Beijing, Spell existing Locuss have also been renovated for the Games.

Each of the Cardinal zones has Information technologys own Olympic Village, Spell all Cardinal are connected by a Recently built, high-speed, intercity railway.

Its an ambitious Arrangement designed to keep the Olympics Altogether Segregated from the rest of the Generally Covid-free Chinese Universe.

The ice rinks have been Smoothened out, the brown Mount slopes draped with artificial Blow.

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The Olympic Fire is on Information technologys Closing journey to the Fondness of Beijing, ready to light up the Nighttime sky.

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Defying a raging pandemic and Calendar months of international Arguing, the 2022 Winter Olympics will Administrative unitly open as Agendad in the Chinese capital This evening.

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Sealed off from Information technologys host city by a labyrinth of high fences, Hot Logic William Henry Gates and facial-recognition cameras, this is an Olympics like Zero Another.

Politics, protests and Covid protocols have become an Inevitable part of the build-up to these Games, and if anything, events Attractive place External the Adventurous arena during the next two weeks will receive as much attention as actions on the ice and Blow.

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How China responds will be a major test for the countrys Loss leader Xi Jinping, who is Train up for an Unexampled Tertiary term in power this Autumn.

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"The world is Turn Information technologys eyes to China, and China is ready," Xi Aforesaid Thursday ahead of the First ceremony.

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For Chinas ruling Communist Party, the Games will Crack a Consequence of General Victory, as Beijing becomes the 1st city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics.

It is also the 1st major Spherical event inside of China since the country shut Information technologys borders two years ago in the wake of the First coronavirus Irruption.

But among the Chinese public, enthusiasm for the Winter Games pales in comparison with 2008, when residents Gatheringed in their thousands Crossways Beijing to watch the Summer Olympics First ceremony on large public screens, eager to be a part of Chronicle.

This year, few viewing parties are Attractive place in a capital Dark by Punishing-handed snap lockdowns and Another pandemic restrictions.

"I Consider the Games are Active to be declared a Avid Winner by the Communist Party — whether Information technologys gonna be perceived as such by Another Countrys is Some other issue," Aforesaid Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a Prof of political Scientific discipline at Hong Kong Baptist University.

Read the Awash Tale: ##Politics## Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Beijing to begin Dialogue with Chinese Loss leader Xi Jinping ahead of the Winter Olympics First ceremony, Chinese Country-run media Exit CGTN Rumored Friday.

The Dialogue will be held in Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, a diplomatic complex in Beijing where Country visits are held, according to Chinese Country Spreader CCTV.

The two Leadership will discuss bilateral Swop and "relevant international topics," Putin Aforesaid in a letter Promulgated in Chinese Country media on Thursday.

  On the Agenda: During the high-level Dialogue, Putin will be joined by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, President's Aide Yury Ushakov, Minister of Energy Nikolai Shulginov and Igor Sechin, head of Country energy company Rosneft, Ushakov told reporters on Wednesday.

  Putin and Xi will also have a 1-on-one Dejeuner, Ushakov Aforesaid.

 In the evening, Putin is expected to attend the First ceremony of the Games.

A critical meeting: Xi has Zerot left China since the pandemic began, and this Acme will be the 1st time he has met International counterparts Brass-to-face in More than 400 Years.

The Xi-Putin meeting comes at a Important Consequence for both sides, as the massing of Russian Soldiery at the countrys border with Ukraine fuels fears of an Impending Intrusion — an event that would be sure to overshadow Chinas Olympic Consequence.

##Politics## International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said the Commission of the Olympics is to "unify" and called on world Leadership to Zerot mix Athletics and politics, during his Address at the 139th IOC Session on Thursday.

  Speaking ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics First ceremony, Bach Aforesaid the Commission of the Games can only be accomplished "if the Olympics are politically Achromatic and do Zerot become a tool to Attain political goals.

" He Zeroted that in January 2020 the IOC could already see "the dark clouds of the Flourishing politicization of Athletics on the horizon.

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" Adding, "the boycott ghosts of the past were rearing their ugly heads Once again," ahead of Beijing.

  "We Emphasized that the Olympic Games can only accomplish this Commission, that we only can get all of humanity Unneurotic in all our diversity, if the Games Outdoor stage On the far side all differences and political disputes," he Aforesaid.

  The United States Declared a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in December, citing China's "ongoing Race murder and crimes Once against humanity in Xinjiang and Another human rights abuses.

" Several countries including Canada and Australia have joined the diplomatic boycott.

##Politics## A Belgian Olympian has been Free from Closing off in Beijing, Favourable an emotional plea for help about her Discourse ahead of the Winter Games.

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Kim Meylemans was Effectd into Closing off after she had Time-tested positive for Covid-19 upon arrival in the Chinese capital.

She Idea she could leave the Quickness after Cardinal Years of Closing off and two consecutive Destructive tests, she Aforesaid on Instagram Wednesday.

But instead of returning to the Olympic Village, the 25-year-old Underframe racer was Affected to a Segregated Authorities Quickness, she added.

Fighting Direct Crying, she Aforesaid she may never get to enter the Beijing Winter Olympics Village.

"We are Zerot even sure I will ever be allowed.

into the village," Meylemans Aforesaid.

"This is very hard for me.

I ask you all to Springiness me some time to consider my next Stairs because I am Zerot sure I can Hold 14 More Years and the Olympic competition Spell being in this Closing off.

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" Hours after her emotional plea for help, the Jock was Free from the Quickness late Wednesday Favourable an intervention from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), she Aforesaid.

"I am Zerow in a wing that is just Closing off, but at To the Last-place degree I am back in the village," Meylemans Aforesaid on Instagram.

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"I feel safe and Ill be able to Wagon train a little better here.

" Beijings Olympic bubble: Meylemans Winter Olympics journey is an example of some of the Tight measures Affected by China, 1 of the few places Continued to adhere to a zero-Covid Insurance policy.

Meylemans had Time-tested Destructive a dozen Multiplication Antecedent to her departure for the Games and was Dismayed by her positive result in Beijing, she Aforesaid.

To limit the Distributed of infection, Beijing is holding the entire Winter Games inside what Regime have called a "closed loop Arrangement" — a bubble Altogether cut off from the rest of the city and Information technologys wider Universe.

Inside the bubble, anyone who tests positive will be In real time removed from the Games.

Those who are Diagnostic will be sent to a Selected Infirmary for Discourse, Spell Symptomless cases will be Affected to an Closing off Quickness.

They wont be allowed to return to the bubble until all symptoms disappear and they test Destructive Double in a row.

Read More: ##Coronavirus## India on Thursday Declared a diplomatic boycott of Beijings Winter Olympics after a commander involved in 2020 border clashes Betwixt the two countries appeared as an Olympic Blowtorchbearer in the customary Blowtorch Electrical relay leading up to the Games.

The last-minute boycott, which will see Indias top envoy in Beijing sit out Fridays First ceremony, adds the worlds most Inhabited democracy to a list of Western Countrys who have launched their own diplomatic Zero-shows, citing Chinas human rights record — Scope the tone for a Debatable Olympic Games.

"It is So Unfortunate that the Chinese side has chosen to Politicise an event like the Olympics," Arindam Bagchi, a Representative for Indias Ministry of External Affairs, Aforesaid in a televised Address on Thursday, where he Declared the top diplomat at the Indian Embassy in Beijing will Zerot be attending the First or the closing ceremonies.

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Following the Administrative unit Motion, Indias public Spreader Doordarshan also announced it will Zerot Televise the First and closing ceremonies live.

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The country has 1 Jock Competitory this year, alpine skier Arif Khan.

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The 2020 clashes: The decisions were sparked after images showed Peoples Liberation Army commander Qi Fabao honored as 1 of the some 1,200 people to bear the Olympic Blowtorch as Information technology Motions Crossways the Olympic competition zones in the lead-up to the lighting of the Olympic Caldron Friday evening.

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Qi has been hailed a hero in China for his role Active in the deadly 2020 India-China Brush at a Controversial border in the Himalayan region that left at To the Last-place degree 20 Indian soldiers dead.

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China has Aforesaid the Peoples Liberation Army lost four soldiers.

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The Brush saw soldiers on both sides battling with sticks, stones and nail-studded bamboo poles in what was the deadliest border clash Betwixt the two nuclear-armed neighbors in More than 40 years.

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Both sides have accused the Another of overstepping the de facto border, the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that runs On the western Sphere of the Galwan Valley.

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Read More: ##Politics## Friday is Administrative unitly the 1st day of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Jocks have Firsted to pour in from around the world.

CNN will be covering events in the Chinese capital, both inside and External the Olympic bubble.

Heres what to know ahead of the First ceremony: This will be the last of Cardinal consecutive Olympics held in East Asia — after Pyeongchang 2018 and Tokyo 2020.

Beijing will become the 1st city to have hosted both the Winter and Summer Olympics.

For the 2nd Olympics running, a raft of Covid-19 countermeasures have dominated the build-up to the Games, which will Once again take place in a Covid-safe "bubble," Identified as the "closed loop Arrangement.

" Fully Insusceptible Players will be able to enter the closed loop without quarantining, Spell those who arent Insusceptible will need to quarantine for 21 Years upon arrival in Beijing.

Medical exemptions, considered on a case-by-case basis, may be Given to those who are Susceptible.

Some countries, such as the United States and Canada, have mandated that all Squad members be Insusceptible.

  Aside from the pandemic, the human rights Position in China has drawn Avider Examination, most Zerotably diplomatic boycotts due to alleged human rights abuses in the far western region of Xinjiang.

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  Nearly 3,000 Jocks will Vie in 15 disciplines Crossways 109 events.

Some events, like the curling and luge have already begun.

The First ceremony will take place at the Beijing National Stadium at 8 p.

local time (7 a.

##Catch Up## The Beijing Olympic Committee Known 21 new Covid-19 cases among Games-related Someonenel on Thursday, Information technology Aforesaid in a Countryment ahead of Fridays First ceremony.

  Since the "closed loop" Arrangement Administrative unitly began on Jan.

23, a Absolute of 308 Olympic-related Covid cases have been Rumored, 111 of which involve Jocks or Squad Administrative units.

Of the 21 new cases, 14 were detected among new Aerodrome arrivals and Vii from those already inside the closed loop, which Segregateds Olympic Jocks, stakeholders, and Faculty from the Beijing public.

  Nine of the 21 cases involved Jocks or Squad Administrative units, two of which were already inside the closed loop.

Since Jan.

23, All but 12,000 people have arrived in Beijing and More than 670,000 Covid tests have been administered, the Countryment added.

##Coronavirus## Some 150,000 Spectator pumps will be invited to attend the 2022 Winter Games, vice president of the Beijing Organizing Committee Yang Shuan Aforesaid on Thursday.

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Shuan Aforesaid Olympic Locuss will be Cut evenly Betwixt Spectator pumps from inside the "closed loop" Arrangement, which Segregateds Games-related Someonenel from the public, and those living External of Information technology.

  The 150,000 Spectator pumps from External the closed loop will Admit international people residing in mainland China, diplomatic Someonenel, Merchandising partners, winter Athleticss enthusiasts, residents, and local students, he Aforesaid.

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Spectators inside the closed loop will consist of members of the Olympic Class, General Olympic committee delegations, Jocks, media representatives and Spreaders, Shuan added.

On Jan.

17, the IOC Aforesaid Just the tickets for the Games would Zerot go on sale for international visitors or the Universal public, citing Covid-19 concerns.

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  ##Coronavirus## Freedom of Address is restricted in Cardinal areas during the Winter Olympics in Beijing, but Jocks are free to Address during Word conferences, and via Ethnic media as long as they dont insult Another people or violate their rights, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Administrative units Aforesaid Thursday.

IOC Administrative units Aforesaid these rules apply to all Olympics, wherever they are held.

"The Olympic Games are governed by the IOC rules, and this is in the host city contract and in the Olympic Charter, and we have Zero reason to believe that this would Zerot be respected," IOC president Thomas Bach told reporters in a Word conference in Beijing on Thursday.

When asked whether Jocks should be Afraid of their well-being and safety if they say Matters that Power be Exceptionable to the Chinese Authorities, Bach Aforesaid, "Whenever an Jock is making a Countryment that he does Zerot insult Another people, that hes Zerot violating the rights of Another people," then they can express their Impression freely.

According to IOC Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi, Jocks cannot enjoy the Exemption of Address in: The Airfield of play.

The First and closing ceremonies.

The Decoration ceremonies.

Those are the "three areas where the Jocks themselves have Definite that In that location would be Zero demonstration," Dubi told reporters.

"Weve worked with the organizing committee already in Tokyo and Far explain this rule here in the context of Beijing.

But Once again, this was a rule established by the Jocks for the Jocks to respect the dignity of the Consequence and the place," Dubi added.

##Politics## When Chinas Loss leader Xi Jinping opens the Beijing Olympics on Friday, he will be flanked by Leadership who are unlikely to quell the chorus of concerns the Games are bolstering an authoritarian regime.

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Of the just over 20 presidents, prime Rectors, heads of Country and Royal line set to attend the First ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics Friday, around Fractional of those dignitaries hail from authoritarian countries with Different Anothers listed as "hybrid regimes," as classified by The Economist Intelligence Units Democracy Index 2020.

Democratic Leadership including from Singapore, Argentina, Ecuador, Mongolia, Poland and Serbia were Enclosed in a list of attendees Free by Chinas Foreign Ministry last week, ahead of a Games already Overrun with controversy.

But Zerotably absent will be Leadership of major democratic powers, as Britain, Australia and Canada are among those to join a US-led diplomatic boycott of the Games, citing Beijings human rights record.

  Instead, the Attending of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Egypts President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Anothers, will send out an image Zerot just of Chinas increasing distance from the West, but of an emerging bloc of Beijing-friendly authoritarian Leadership.

Read the Awash Tale: ##Politics## The Winter Olympics in Beijing gets Current on Friday with close to 3,000 Jocks from 91 Countrys Competitory Crossways 109 Decoration events.

The Games — like last years Summer Olympics in Tokyo — will be held under Hard-and-fast Covid-19 countermeasures and Characteristic Vii different Athleticss.

Read More: Tickets for the Games will Zerot be sold to the Universal public due to the pandemic.

Instead, Just the tickets will be Dispersed to a Blue-ribbon Grouping of Spectator pumps by Regime, the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee Aforesaid on Jan.

"In Footing of the grim and complex Position of epidemic Bar and control [and] in Club to protect the Wellness and Base hit of Olympic Someonenel and Spectator pumps, we have Definite to change the Innovational plan of public Just the ticket Gross sales," the committee Aforesaid.

  Groups of Spectator pumps will be invited on Land site Directout the Games and will be required to "strictly Follow with Covid-19 Bar and control requirements before, during and after Observation the Games.

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" In a Countryment, the International Olympic Committee Aforesaid those in Attending will be residents of Chinas mainland who have the required "Covid-19 countermeasures.

" The announcement came after Beijing Rumored Information technologys 1st case of the Extremely Ancestral Omicron variant on Jan.

##Coronavirus##.

Super Bowl commercials cost $7 Cardinal. Its Nonmoving a good deal.

Super Bowl commercials are More Overpriced than ever.

But for advertisers, theyre a better deal than ever.

NBC — which is Broadcast medium this years Crippled — Declared last week that Information technology is sold out of Super Bowl ads, with Triple 30 2nd Muscae volitantes having sold for a record $7 Cardinal each.

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Why would advertisers Drop $7 Cardinal on 1 ad? Because Information technologys the Super Bowl — a broadcast that is Nonmoving watched by roughly 100 Cardinal TV audience, even as ratings for some Another big Adventurous events are Autumning.

Nothing in the media world comes close to Acquiring companies the exposure that the Super Bowl can.

Thats Progressively important as the media Landscape painting grows More Split, according to Patrick Crakes, a Early Fox Sports executive Upset media Adviser.

"The fractionalization of attention because of Flowing and Ethnic media makes the Super Bowl More important than ever," Crakes told CNN Business.

"If youre in business with the NFL and youre advertising during the Super Bowl, youre a real player.

" Crakes added that In that locations also examples of the big Crippled "helping build brands.

" "Think about a company like GoDaddy.

GoDaddy Invested with in the Super Bowl for years, did a lot of crazy Matters to get attention inside Information technology, and Information technology helped their business," he Aforesaid.

"I Consider Information technologys a Avid investment, even at this price tag.

" "Youre Acquiring close to $500 Cardinal" The Super Bowl — and the ads that come with Information technology — is also a Avid investment for Electronic networks.

We dont know yet what NBC will make in Footing of ad revenue for this years broadcast.

However, Information technologyll likely be a Ample chunk of change, according to Tim Calkins, a Merchandising Prof at Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management.

"Youre likely looking at about 70 ads, so youre Acquiring pretty close to $500 Cardinal in ad revenue from the Crippled for NBC," Calkins told CNN Business.

"And that, by the way, is just during the Crippled.

That doesnt count before the Crippled, after the Crippled and all of the Another opportunities In that location are to run Additive advertising.

" For example, last years Super Bowl Zerotched $434.

5 Cardinal of in-game ad revenue, according to research firm Kantar.

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Thats More than the World Series and NBA Closings and 2nd only to the Olympic Games, which take place over a span of weeks.

Kantar Zeroted that this years Crippled — which pits the Cincinnati Bengals Once against the Los Angeles Rams — is projected to Exceed last years Bis.

(NBC shares the Super Bowl rights with the NFLs Another TV partners every couple of years.

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) "$500 Cardinal is a lot of money for anyone, but in the world of media, Super Bowl Muscae volitantes are in a whole Another level," Calkins Aforesaid.

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"That is why the NFL is such a valuable Athleticss Dealership, because In that locations this Power to charge advertisers this much to be on these events.

" "A lot of people Observation the Super Bowl dont really care about the Crippled" TV is Active Direct a rapid Translation because of the Flowing Gyration, but the NFL continues to be 1 of the ratings bedrocks for Long-standing Electronic networks.

The Conferences TV audiencehip for the 2021 regular Time of year was up roughly 10% General from last year, Delivery in an average of 17.

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1 Cardinal TV audience per Crippled.

That is the highest regular Time of year average since 2015, according to the Conference, and comes at a time when ratings for Another big live events — such as awards shows — are experiencing record lows.

Calkins explained that for Electronic networks like NBC In that locations "two big benefits" to being in business with the NFL and Broadcast medium the Super Bowl.

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The 1st is the Supererogatory of ad revenue and the Another is "NBC will use this Chance to Musical accompaniment the rest of their Batting order" via promos before, during and after the Crippled.

"For NBC, the Super Bowl is an event that they can use to jump First the rest of their Batting order as they go into the Natural spring and the rest of the year," he Aforesaid.

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Calkins added that "a Bi of years ago, people Aforesaid, the Super Bowl is Active to fade away.

Its Acquiring unsustainable.

Its Altogether the reverse.

" "The Super Bowl is More and More important because Information technologys a Joint experience," Calkins Aforesaid.

"And whats Exciting is a lot of people Observation the Super Bowl dont even really care about the Crippled.