BEAVER CREEK, Colo. (AP) — Ski racers settling into the start gate for Alpine World Cup events in the Rocky Mountains in early December squinted through sunshine that carried the temperature toward 50 degrees and glanced down at a course covered with pristine — and manufactured — snow.
With the 2022 Winter Olympics just around the corner, NBC reports on some of the most frequently asked questions about the upcoming Beijing Winter Games.
Inflated Beijing Games mascot, Bing Dwen Dwen, tries to squeeze through the door to enter the main media center at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Jan. 24, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Jae C. Hong
2018: Pyeongchang Games
Olympic mascots and a young girl participate in the closing ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Feb. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Natacha Pisarenko
2018: Pyeongchang Games
Workers browse their phones next to the mascots for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games near the South Korean booth during the World Winter Sports Expo in Beijing, Sept. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Andy Wong
2014: Sochi Games
Robotic mascots perform during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Feb. 7, 2014. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Robert F. Bukaty
2010: Vancouver Games
The mascots for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, from left, Miga, Quatchi and Sumi pose for photographers following their debut to students in Surrey, British Columbia, on Nov. 27, 2007. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP)
Jonathan Hayward
2006: Torino Games
Children attending the short track skating races in the Palavela Arena cheer with Torino Olympic mascots Neve, left and Gliz at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Feb. 15, 2006. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
AMY SANCETTA
2002: Salt Lake City Games
Supporters of the Austrian ski team make music with Powder one of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games mascots as they wait for the start of the weather delayed women's downhill in Snowbasin, Utah on Feb. 11, 2002. (AP Photo/Rudi Blaha)
RUDI BLAHA
1998: Nagano Games
Snowlets, the Olympic mascots, walk around the stadium prior to the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics at Minami Nagano Sports Park in Nagano, Japan on Feb. 7, 1998. (AP Photo/Eric Draper, File)
