7 in 10 Urban Indians are interested in Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: Ipsos Global Survey

According to an Ipsos global, 28 market survey among 20,025 adults on the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics 2022, being held in Beijing between February 04-20, 2022 at least  7 in 10 Urban Indians said they are interested in the Beijing Winter Olympics; global views were somewhat polarized with 46% saying they are interested in watching the Beijing Winter Olympics and 54% disinterested. Understandably, the host, China (84%) was most interested; the other markets where interest levels were high, included South Africa (62%) and Malaysia (60%). The markets least interested were Germany (30%), Canada (32%), Great Britain (32%), Belgium (32%) and France (34%). 

Most Popular Winter Olympics Sports

Global citizens were most interested in Figure Skating (27%), Ski Jumping (18%), Ice Hockey (18%), Speed Skating (15%), Snow Boarding (13%), Alpine Skiing (10%), Free Style Skiing (9%), among others.

Markets most interested in Figure Skating included China (50%), Mexico (47%), Russia (46%), Colombia (41%), Brazil (38%), Chile (37%), Japan (37%), Peru (37%), et al. Interestingly, only 12% Indians were interested in Figure Skating. Almost at the bottom of the heap among 28 markets.What Winter Olympic Sports are popular among Indians? 40% said Ice Hockey! The other most popular sports included Ski Jumping (28%), Snow Boarding (22%), Speed Skating (18%), Free Style Skiing (17%), etc.

Paralympics   

Coverage of paralympic games by news and sports media was perceived to be a mixed bag -while 6 in 10 global citizens agreed paralympics got enough prominence in media, only 1 in 2 (53%) seemed to agree in India. Markets agreeing most were China (90%), South Korea (87%), Peru (75%), South Africa (74%) and Italy (74%). Markets agreeing least were Mexico (31%) and Great Britain (41%). Interest among audiences per se  is less for paralympics considering 1 in 2 (50%) global citizens said they don’t know the 6 disciplines that will feature in paralympics. Disciplines global citizens were aware of included Ice Hockey (18%), Snow Boarding (14%), Curling (12%), Alpine Downhill Skiing (11%), Cross Country Skiing (11%) and Biathlon (10%).

Attitudes around Beijing Winter Olympics

• Beijing Winter Olympics should be held despite the pandemic believe 1 in 2 global citizens (52%). Markets agreeing most were: China (80%, host nation), Russia (74%), Poland (70%), India (67%), and Saudi Arabia (67%). Markets agreeing least were South Korea (30%), Canada (35%) and Japan (37%).
• 55% global citizens believe it is appropriate for athletes to take a public stand on social and political issues when performing at the Olympics.  India has the highest agreeing (74%), followed by Germany (72%), Saudi Arabia (70%), South Africa (66%), China (65%) and Malaysia (65%). Markets agreeing least were Hungary (37%) and France (39%).
• 69% global citizens believe that if a country is officially barred for doping, their athletes not implicated in doping should be allowed to perform under the banner of Olympics Committee. Saudi Arabia (78%), India (76%), Belgium (75%), China (74%) and Colombia (74%) support the most. Interestingly all markets had more number of respondents supporting this view.
• There is too much display of Nationalism at the Olympics believe 57% of global citizens polled. The markets agreeing most were Saudi Arabia (77%), Turkey (77%), Brazil (73%), India (73%) and Malaysia (72%). The markets agreeing least were Sweden (35%) and Poland (37%).