1 . After months of expectation, the official mascot (吉祥物) of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games－a giant panda-inspired cartoon character－made its first public debut with cheers at Beijing’s Shougang Ice Hockey Arena(首钢冰球馆).

The panda is named “Bing Dwen Dwen” in Chinese. Bing means “ice” in Chinese, while Dwen Dwen suggests “health and cleverness” －characteristics also shared by pandas. Pandas are perhaps the most recognized animal species in China, organizers said.

“Pandas combine China’s traditional culture and its modern appearance together with winter sports elements in a fascinating image that shows our great expectations for the Games and shows that we welcome the world,” said Beijing Mayor Chen Jining.

“I have already seen the mascot and from what I’ve seen, it’s a wonderful choice,” IOC (国际奥委会)President Thomas Bach said before introducing the character. “The mascot really takes in the best elements and characteristics of China and the Chinese people. It will be a great ambassador for the country and the 24th Winter Olympics.”

The ring of light surrounding the mascot’s face is suggestive of ice and snow tracks, as well as the flowing “ribbons” (丝带) of the National Speed Skating Oval(国家速滑馆). The oval is one of two new competition sites in downtown Beijing expected to become a landmark of the Games, according to its chief designer Cao Xue.

The introduction of the mascots marks the key point of a journey that began in August 2018, when Beijing organizers started a global design competition for the mascots. A total of 5,816 designs were received from 35 countries, and were reviewed by Chinese and international experts in a comprehensive evaluation and selection process.

The new mascot will serve as spirited symbol of the Games that will take place in the three zones of downtown Beijing, the suburban district of Yanqing and co-host city Zhangjiakou in surrounding Hebei province.

The home crowd erupted when China’s Eileen Gu won the Women’s Freeski Big Air gold in Beijing.

Gu jumped into the top position with her third run,     1    (score) 94.50. Her total score was 188.25 in the event’s debut at the Winter Olympics.

The 18-year-old,who also     2    (go) by her Chinese name, Gu Ailing, is a freestyle skier, model and grade-A student with     3     American father and a Chinese mother. She grew up in the United States. It was there     4     she grew to love skiing. By 2018, she was representing the US in the world cup for the sport.

Then, she decided to switch from representing the US     5     representing China. The decision met with shock and     6    (confuse) from her growing fan base but Gu was     7    (determine), sharing her reasoning on Instagram at the time.

“This was an     8    (incredible) tough decision for me to make...Through skiing, I hope to unite people, promote common understanding, create communication and forge friendships between    9    (nation). If I can help to inspire one young girl     10    (break) a boundary, my wishes will have come true.”

6 . After months of expectation and secrecy, the official mascot of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games—a giant panda-inspired cartoon character—made its first public debut with cheers at Beijing’s Shougang Ice Hockey Arena.

The panda is named “Bing Dwen Dwen” in Chinese. Bing means “ice” in Chinese, while Dwen Dwen suggests “health and cleverness”—characteristics also shared by pandas. Pandas are perhaps the most recognized animal species in China, organizers said.

“Pandas combine China’s traditional culture and its modern appearance together with winter sports elements in a fascinating image that shows our great expectations for the Games and shows that we welcome the world,” said Beijing Mayor Chen Jining, who also serves as an executive president on the organizing committee.

“I have already seen the mascot and from what I’ve seen, it’s a wonderful choice,” IOC President Thomas Bach said before introducing the character.” “The mascot really takes in the best elements and characteristics of China and the Chinese people. It will be a great ambassador for the country and the 24th Winter Olympics.”

The ring of light surrounding the mascot’s face is suggestive of ice and snow tracks, as well as the flowing “ribbons” of the National Speed Skating Oval. The oval is one of two new competition sites in downtown Beijing expected to become a landmark of the Games, according to its chief designer Cao Xue.

The introduction of the mascots marks the key point of a journey that began in August 2018, when Beijing organizers started a global design competition for the mascots. A total of 5,816 designs were received from 35 countries, and were reviewed by Chinese and international experts in a comprehensive evaluation and selection process.

The new mascot will serve as spirited symbol of the Games that will take place in the three zones of downtown Beijing, the suburban district of Yanqing and co-host city Zhangjiakou in surrounding Hebei province.