Beijing is hosting the most gender-balanced Olympic Winter Games to date. The number of women competing at the Olympic Games has increased significantly. In total, 2,877 athletes have arrived in China, of which 1,290 are female athletes.
The oldest female Winter Olympian is the German speed skater 49-year-old Claudia Pechstein. She took part in the 3000m race at the 2022 OWG in Beijing. The youngest female Winter Olympian is the Russian figure skater 15-year-old Kamila Valieva. In Beijing (as well as in Tokyo last summer), each team has two Olympic flag bearers – one male and one female flag bearer, which, according to the plan of the International Olympic Committee, made it possible to reach gender equality. In addition, the honorary right to light the Olympic flame was entrusted to the athletes from China. Two Chinese athletes (a man and a woman) left the Olympic torch in the middle of a giant snowflake. No huge fires and bowls, as has been customary.
