On Friday, Feb. 4, Beijing kicked off the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, the Winter version of the same games the city hosted in 2008 during the Summer. However, this year, there is a pandemic to contend with. 

The competitions will take place in three areas: the city of Beijing, the northern district of Yanqing, and Zhangjiakou in Hebei province. A total of 12 competition and 13 non-competition venues will host various events. Beijing will host the ice events, while Yanqing and Zhangjiakou will host the snow events.

The event, which brings together Winter sports athletes from all over the world, will be held from Feb. 4 to Feb. 20. Here are some unique facets of this Winter Games: 

Lack of natural snow

This year, the different competitions will be held in venues with 100% artificial snow. 

The Beijing Games will be the first in history to be held without any natural snow, unlike four years ago in South Korea, where the events enjoyed 10% natural snow at the events. 

In total, some 300 snow guns from Italy's TechnoAlpin will be used at the planned alternative venues in Yanqing and Zhangjiakou.

Women on a par with men 

This year, 45% of all athletes are women, which is 4% more than four years ago. 

This is due to the efforts of the International Olympic Committee through its Agenda 2020 for the pursuit of gender equality in sports. 

A panda mascot 

Bing Dwen Dwen, or 'Bing' for short, is the Beijing 2022 mascot, and a giant panda with great significance. 

The mascot's name has several meanings, with the translation 'ice' being the most common, but with other symbols such as 'purity' and 'strength.'  

The mascot embodies the willpower of the athletes and will help promote the Olympic spirit.