Beijing 2022 insights with Olympics Correspondent Mark Staniforth

Ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Games – Mark Staniforth, Olympics Correspondent at PA Media explains what our sports editorial coverage entails, discusses his Games preparations and shares memorable moments from the past events.

Overview of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games

• 7 sports
• 109 events
• 7 new events
• 3 venues
• 8 hours ahead of the UK

What Olympic Games have you reported from in the past?

Beijing will be my sixth consecutive Winter Olympics, stretching back to Salt Lake City in 2002. I have also covered four Summer Olympics including, Tokyo 2020, London 2012, and Beijing 2008.

What’s a typical day like at the Games?

Before I travel, I make a daily list of potential British and international stories of interest, such as British medal chances. This provides the basis upon which to plan coverage when on the ground and depending on numbers. It’s generally a guess-game, and often there are one or two medals that slip under the radar, but pre-planning mitigates that risk. It’s hectic, often whizzing around venues at short notice. It’s particularly gruelling at a Winter Olympics, but exhilarating all the same.

What kind of Olympic coverage can we expect from the PA Media sports editorial team?

Our sports editorial content will include preview packages. Then in Games time, a focus on the main British medal hopes each day, as well as notable international events like the downhill skiing and figure skating. We’ll normally provide previews on merit with the likelihood of a daily round-up, which given the time difference will conveniently go out around mid-afternoon UK time, although this is yet to be 100% confirmed. Because of difficulties regarding coronavirus, it’s been stripped back to just me and a photographer. For the last two Winter games, we have just sent two written journalists, so it is no great issue.

What coverage plans have the sports editorial team put in place given the strict coronavirus conditions in Beijing?

We’re wading through all the preparations including required testing. The process seems much clearer than it was for Tokyo. Once in Beijing, you enter a closed loop, so effectively you’re under quarantine for the duration, but free to move between venues and hotels which shouldn’t pose any problems regarding our coverage.

What have been some of your Olympic highlights?

I always find the winter Olympics the most memorable. Probably my favourite memory is covering my first winters in 2002 when after two weeks of poor British performances, Rhona Martin’s curling team suddenly came from nowhere to win gold. The level of interest was extraordinary. Other highlights include being there for two women’s skeleton gold medals and Billy Morgan’s bronze in the Big Air in Pyeongchang in 2018, a new and exhilarating addition to the programme. Now that I’m reminiscing these memories, I can’t wait to cover all the action from the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games in February.

Mark Staniforth is PA Media’s Olympics Correspondent. You can follow him on Twitter here.

As the countdown to the Beijing Winter Olympic Games continues, discover more about PA media’s planned coverage by getting in touch here to discuss your requirements.