If you’re trying to remember where was the last winter olympics, the answer is Beijing, China. But honestly, just saying "Beijing" doesn't even come close to covering the reality of what went down during those two weeks in February 2022. It was a weird, intense, and historically unique event that felt more like a sci-fi movie than a typical sports festival.
The 2022 Winter Games—officially the XXIV Olympic Winter Games—kicked off on February 4 and wrapped up on February 20. Beijing actually made history here. It became the first city ever to host both a Summer and a Winter Olympics. Remember the iconic Bird’s Nest stadium from 2008? They used it again for the opening and closing ceremonies.
But things were different this time. Very different.
The Closed-Loop Reality
You've probably heard of "the bubble," but Beijing took it to a whole new level. Because of the global situation at the time, the organizers implemented a "closed-loop" system.
Basically, once you were in, you were in.
Athletes, coaches, and journalists lived in a totally isolated world. They traveled on dedicated high-speed trains and buses that never touched the "outside" public world. There were even robots everywhere—robots serving food, robots disinfecting floors, and robots making cocktails. It was impressive, but kinda lonely. There were no international fans allowed, which meant the stands were filled with small, socially distanced groups of invited domestic guests who clapped politely but couldn't quite replicate that roar of a packed Olympic crowd.
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Where Exactly Were the Events?
Beijing is huge, but it's not exactly a "winter sports" paradise. It's actually quite dry. Because of that, the Games were spread across three distinct zones connected by a brand-new high-speed rail.
- Beijing Central: This was the "ice" hub. They repurposed the "Water Cube" (the 2008 swimming venue) and turned it into the "Ice Cube" for curling. Most of the skating happened here.
- Yanqing: About 45 miles out. This is where the big, scary stuff happened—alpine skiing, bobsled, and luge.
- Zhangjiakou: Even further out, roughly 100 miles from the city center. This was the home of snowboarding, freestyle skiing, and cross-country.
The wild part? The snow.
Almost every flake of snow you saw on TV was fake. Beijing 2022 was the first Winter Olympics to rely almost 100% on artificial snow. Geographers like Carmen de Jong from the University of Strasbourg pointed out the massive environmental strain this caused, requiring an estimated 49 million gallons of water to coat the dry, brown hills in white.
The Athletes Who Stole the Show
Despite the politics and the robots, the actual sports were incredible. We saw some of the most dominant performances in history.
Norway absolutely crushed it. They finished at the top of the medal table with 16 golds and 37 medals total. That's a record for a single Winter Games.
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Then there was Nathan Chen. After a heartbreaking disappointment in 2018, the American figure skater came back with a vengeance. His "Rocketman" free skate was a masterclass in athleticism and precision. He finally got his gold, and it wasn't even close.
We also saw the rise of Eileen Gu. Representing China, the California-born skier became a global superstar overnight. She won two golds and a silver, handling immense pressure from both Chinese and American media with a level of poise most adults don't have.
On the "wow, she finally did it" side of things, American speedskater Erin Jackson made history. She became the first Black woman to win a gold medal in an individual event at the Winter Games. It was a huge moment that almost didn't happen—she actually slipped during the qualifiers and only made the team because her teammate, Brittany Bowe, gave up her spot.
The Controversies You Might've Forgotten
It wouldn't be a modern Olympics without some drama.
The biggest story outside the medals was Kamila Valieva. The 15-year-old Russian figure skater was the favorite to win everything until it came out that she had tested positive for a banned substance months earlier. The legal battle played out in real-time, and while she was eventually allowed to compete, the pressure was clearly too much. She fell multiple times in her final skate, and the sight of her leaving the ice in tears while being scolded by her coach was one of the darkest moments in Olympic history.
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There was also the "diplomatic boycott." The U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia didn't send government officials to protest human rights issues in China. Their athletes still competed, but the political tension was thick enough to cut with a skate blade.
Looking Ahead to 2026
So, what's next?
The Winter Olympics are heading back to Europe. The 2026 Games will be hosted by Milano-Cortina in Italy.
This is going to be a "spread out" Olympics. Instead of one main city, the events will be scattered across northern Italy—from the fashion capital of Milan to the stunning peaks of the Dolomites. Expect a lot more natural snow and a much more festive, open atmosphere than what we saw in 2022.
What to Watch for in 2026
If you’re planning to follow the next Games, here’s how to get ready:
- Follow the Qualifiers: Most of the big international "World Cup" circuits for skiing and skating are happening right now. This is where the 2026 stars are being born.
- Check the Venue Map: Unlike Beijing, Milano-Cortina is using mostly existing venues to save money and the environment. It’s a huge shift in how the IOC wants the Games to look.
- Book Early: If you're planning on going to Italy in February 2026, you've basically already missed the "cheap" window. Start looking at travel options in the Lombardy and Veneto regions now.
The legacy of Beijing 2022 is complicated. It was a feat of engineering and pandemic management, but it also raised huge questions about where the Winter Olympics can—and should—go as the planet gets warmer.