Beijing 2022 winter olympics bid team plays down corruption investigation

A corruption investigation into a senior Chinese sports official who had sat on the country's Olympic committee will not impact Beijing's bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics, according to a spokeswoman for the Beijing 2022 bid team.

The Chinese Communist Party's anti-graft watchdog the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said last week that Xiao Tian, Vice-President of world basketball governing body FIBA, a deputy head of China's General Administration of Sport and one of China’s Deputy Sport Ministers, is being investigated for suspected "serious breaches of discipline and the law", the usual euphemism for corruption.

Xiao ministerial responsibility is for basketball, one of China's most popular sports.

Details of the investigation have not been revealed.

Following Xiao’s arrest, Wang Hui, spokeswoman for the Beijing 2022 bid team, told reporters that China was committed to holding a "clean Olympics" and that Xiao's investigation showed the "vigour" of the government's ongoing anti-corruption campaign.

Wang stated "I believe that the handling of Xiao Tian will not in the slightest affect our application.

“Quite the opposite, it will make Chinese sports even cleaner.

"Our confidence has not been shaken.

"The development has no effect on the work of the bid. Beijing 2022's focus remains on our bid, and efforts to present the best possible plan."

Beijing is vying with Almaty in Kazakhstan to host the Winter Olympic Games in 2022. A decision will be announced on 31st July.

Since taking power in mid-2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping has launched a broad-based campaign against corruption among bureaucrats and officials in state corporations.

In its quest for Olympic glory, China has lavished funds on its system of sports schools, leagues, and playing facilities, opening up ample room for corruption.

President Xi, an avowed football fan like hundreds of millions of his compatriots, has previously bemoaned corruption in Chinese football as a national embarrassment.

Xiao was elected as one of FIBA's three Vice-Presidents in September last year.

6th November 2013 - BEIJING AND ZHANGJIAKOU LAUNCH JOINT BID TO HOST THE 2022 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES

14th June 2012 - CHINA JAILS FORMER FOOTBALL LEADERS IN MATCH-FIXING CRACKDOWN