Soon, the sharp winter wind in Beijing was testing my commitment to transportation al fresco.

NEWYORKER: Green Giant

On the opposite side you find athletes like 19-year-old Kenyan Pamela Jelimo who, having been thrust into sporting superstardom in her home country after winning 800m gold in Beijing, had a tough winter and is only just beginning to get back into shape.

BBC: Steve Cram column

Air quality in Beijing and other Chinese cities reached hazardous levels during the winter, sickening residents and prompting many to wear masks.

WSJ: Dead Pigs Worry Shanghai

He did it for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, and for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

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Former Salt Lake City Deputy Mayor Brian Hatch, a key player in securing that city's winning bid for the 2002 Winter Games, recalled showing some Beijing officials around that year to help them prep for their city's hosting role in 2008.

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