KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - The host city of the 2022 Winter Olympics will be decided Friday in a vote of the International Olympic Committee. The two candidates are Beijing and Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Here's a quick look at the election:
WHAT: Selection of host city for 2022 Winter Olympics.
WHEN: Friday.
VENUE: Kuala Lumpur Convention Center.
THE CANDIDATES: Beijing, China and Almaty, Kazakhstan.
WHO DECIDES: The International Olympic Committee.
THE MEETING: 128th IOC session.
THE VOTE: IOC members vote by secret electronic ballot. Simple majority required for victory. With only two candidates, winner should be decided in one round. In the event of a tie, re-voting would be held. If no winner emerges, the IOC president - who normally does not vote - could cast tie-breaking vote.
HOW MANY: The IOC has 100 members, but not all will be in attendance. Embattled FIFA President Sepp Blatter is among those not attending. Exact number of voters won't be known until Friday morning. IOC members from bidding countries don't vote when their city is in contention. That means China's three members won't vote. Kazakhstan has no IOC members.
PRESENTATIONS: Each city will make 45-minute final presentations on Friday, with additional 15 minutes for questions and answers.
THE BALLOT: Voting begins at approximately 4:15 pm local time (0815 GMT).
THE OTHER VOTE: IOC members will vote at the same time on the host city for 2020 Winter Youth Olympics. The two candidates are Lausanne, Switzerland, and Brasov, Romania.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT: Ceremony starts at 5:30 pm (0930 GMT) and runs until 6 pm (1000 GMT). IOC President Thomas Bach will open sealed envelope and announce winner.
SIGNING CEREMONY: The host city contracts will be signed at 6:30 pm (1030 GMT).