Olympics-Beijing 2022 winter Olympics bid

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Reuters) - Facts about Beijing, which is bidding, along with Almaty, to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. The International Olympic Committee will elect the winning city on Friday. Population: 21 million, capital of China Location: northeastern China, at the North China Plain Altitude: 44m Past Olympic experience: hosted the 2008 summer Olympics. Games concept: inddor competitions in Beijing. Outdoor events in Yanqing (90km from Beijing) and Zhangjiakou (160km from Beijing) Number of Olympic villages: three Slogan: "Joyful Rendezvous upon Pure Ice and Snow." Biggest advantages: past Olympic experience, financial strength of the country. Biggest drawback: Minimal annual snowfall in Zhangjiakou, and Yanqing means they have to rely completely on artificial snow. Distance between Beijing and mountain venues. Air pollution. Fun fact: There are an estimated nine million bicycles in Beijing. (Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Julian Linden)