Latvia receives official invitation to participate in 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing

RIGA - On Wednesday, the Latvian Olympic Committee (LOC) received an official invitation to participate in the 23rd Winter Olympics in Beijing, the LOC informs.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has sent invitations to the national Olympic Committees to participate in the Beijing Games, marking the year leading up to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

The official invitation of the LOC was received on Wednesday by the President of the LOC Zorzs Tikmers and General Secretary Karlis Lejnieks.

"The Winter Olympics will be unique in that Beijing will be the first city in history to host both the Summer and Winter Games. The Latvian team could include between 55 and 70 athletes in 13 disciplines. We hope that our ice hockey team returns to the Olympics as well," said Tikmers after receiving the invitation.

Lejnieks also noted that out of 15 sports, Latvia could be represented in 12 to 13 of them, moreover, it is estimated that half of the team will be debutants of the Olympic Games.

"If our national ice hockey team qualifies, that would immediately make our delegation by 23 additional athletes. Of course, we cannot forget that the representatives of other sports are also aiming for the Olympic Games and hope for successful performances there," stressed Lejnieks.

The Chinese capital, Beijing, will host the Winter Olympics from February 4 to 20, 2022.