Gianni Merlo, president of the International Sports Press Association, is impressed by the smooth organization of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, which kicked off on Friday.

"I was lucky because yesterday I was very quick to come out of the airplane and the airport. It just took 20 minutes," Merlo told China Daily in an exclusive interview at the Games' Main Media Center on Wednesday.

"Everything was done properly. And only another 20 minutes later we took a bus to the hotel. I like the experience here very much this time."

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant organizers have faced a daunting and complicated task to welcome athletes, media and staff from across the globe to the Games.

Beijing 2022 participants need to follow clear COVID-19 testing rules before and after entering China. They must provide at least two negative tests within 96 and 72 hours prior to departure, before again being tested immediately upon arrival.

Games participants are asked to undergo a PCR test at the airport, and they are then tested daily for COVID-19 in the closed-loop management system to minimize the risk of undetected cases.

Merlo's job first took him to the Olympics for the 1972 Summer Games in Munich, but even for this well-traveled veteran reporter, Beijing 2022 feels like an entirely new experience.

With all Games participants confined to the closed loop, Merlo is a little rueful that he won't be able to explore Beijing in the way that he could during his trip to the 2008 Summer Games.

"The 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics was a great experience. We had a great experience, especially with the organizer and people who created a new organizing system. It was a special environment and it was very positive for me. The 2008 Beijing Olympics were really well-organized," said Merlo.

"There were many memorable experiences at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. We had the opportunity to learn more about Beijing, and that offered many things to the spectators, journalists and athletes. I'm very impressed every time I come here.

"For us, this time is more difficult because we cannot walk out of the closed loop. This time is a different situation due to COVID. That is not easy. We are here again because we had a great experience in 2008. The special time now is another kind of test. I believe after the opening ceremony everything can be really smooth."

With China's winter sports prowess on the rise, the host will be represented by 176 athletes at Beijing 2022, the most since the country's Winter Olympics debut at the 1980 Games, as well as 211 coaches and officials. China will compete in all but five of the 109 medal events.

Merlo said he hoped a strong showing from the host nation can inspire more young Chinese to embrace winter sports.

"There is a new generation of Chinese winter athletes. You have some very good skaters. China's winter sports is developing," said the Italian.

"You are on the fast track. And the Beijing Winter Olympics will allow China to develop more programs. You have enough talents, and the problem is how to discover them.

"I also hope we can see some athletes and champions with great personalities, which can influence more young people to follow sports."