CGTN头条新闻2022 北京冬奥会花样滑冰团体赛颁奖仪式因故延期（在线收听）

Olympic medal ceremony delayed for figure skating team event

Olympic medal ceremony delayed for figure skating team event

The International Olympic Committee has confirmed the delay of the medal ceremony for the figure skating team event at the Beijing Olympics due to a legal issue.

The ceremony to award the Russian Olympic Committee team their gold medals, with the United States getting silver and Japan bronze, was not held as scheduled on Tuesday.

Officials say the unspecified issue could affect medalists and requires a "legal consultation" with the governing body of skating.

IOC head on Gu's win

President Thomas Bach of the International Olympic Committee says the victory of Chinese skier Gu Ailing will be one of the great moments of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Gu became the first Olympic champion in the women's freestyle big air on Tuesday.

A preview of men's figure skating

A highlight of the Winter Games on Thursday will be men's figure skating.

BOCOG: athletes prefer man-made snow

The Beijing Winter Olympics have been questioned for using artificial snow.

Organizers say the athletes prefer man-made snow and its use has been a common practice for decades.

Man-made snow was first used at the 1980 Winter Games in New York.

Spokesperson Yan Jiarong of the Beijing Organizing Committee says major events for winter sports, including recent editions in the Winter Olympics, have used great amounts of artificial snow. She quoted experts explaining why man-made snow is preferred.

"Artificial snow is more stable to develop and shape courses, and can meet the different requirements for snow in different competitions and on different tracks. There are different types of snow with different characteristics. Various needs cannot be met with using only natural snow."

For the purpose of being eco-friendly, several reservoirs have been built to store rainwater for making snow.

Li Sen is Director General of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games General Planning Department.

"The Beijing Winter Games have a special feature. The water used to produce artificial snow is all surface water. Besides, the electricity used to power the snow machine is generated through green methods. Moreover, no additives are added to the man-made snow. Even when the snow melts down, it will not have any negative impact on the environment."

Organizers say venues in the three competition zones are all powered by renewable energy, including wind power and photovoltaic power generated in the Zhangjiakou cluster.

China urges U.S. to revoke Taiwan arms sale

A Chinese military spokesperson has urged the United States to revoke a possible 100 million U.S.-dollar arms sale to Taiwan.

Wu Qian called the plan gross interference in China's internal affairs, and stated that it undermines relations between the two countries as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

He says the U.S. move violates the one-China principle.

China to make 6 human spaceflights, rocket's maiden flight in 2022

China has unveiled its plan for rocket launches this year.

The plan includes six manned space flights for completing the construction of the Tiangong space station.

The country will also launch its first hybrid rocket.

Myanmar's SAC not to send representatives to ASEAN meeting: official

Myanmar's State Administration Council has confirmed it will not send representatives to the upcoming ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

This will be the second time Myanmar is absent from the meeting since October last year.