Beijing 2022 organizers revealed that through Nov 17, National Olympic Committees from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and some European countries have submitted a combined 14,206 registration applications, including over 7,100 for athletes. That's despite the fact a small minority of politicians and groups are threatening to boycott Beijing 2022 due to so-called human rights issues in China.

Zbigniew Brodka, Polish speed skater

Zbigniew Brodka, Olympic speed skating champion from Sochi 2014, confirmed early in October that he had resumed his career to take part in the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing. The return to China "would be sentimental," he said.

"I wanted to fight for participation in a fourth Winter Olympics. So I came back," Brodka explained. "In 2003, it was in Beijing that I competed in my first world junior championship. So it would bookend my entire career."

Manuela Di Centa, Italian skier

Former Winter Olympic gold medalist Manuela di Centa believes that the most important thing about the Winter Olympic Games to be held in Beijing in February 2022 is that the athletes will be able to compete.

"A few months ago in Tokyo, we saw how the most important thing won," she commented.

"The most important thing was the athletes. They had the possibility to dream, to win medals, to compete, to give their best in the Olympic Games and if possible to win a medal and it is the same for Beijing," she said.

John Shuster, US curler

John Shuster, 39, led the US men's curling team to win his first Olympic gold at PyeongChang 2018, and hopes to make history in Beijing. No athletes have ever won multiple gold medals in men's curling.

"It's going to be special to get a chance to go back [to the Olympics] and see what we can do," the American curler told the International Olympic Committee website.

Natalie Geisenberger, German luger

After pre-Olympic test runs for Beijing 2022 on the new Yanqing track, athletes from bobsleigh and skeleton title favorites Germany have offered their praise on the infrastructure offered at Beijing 2022.

Four-time Olympic champion and tobogganist Natalie Geisenberger said she is excited to experience a new track.

"It's my fourth Olympics and I still want to win medals," she said.

Kamil Stoch, Polish ski jumper

Multiple Olympic ski jumping gold medalist and world champion Kamil Stoch, from Poland, said he could not wait for the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

"This is a really special time as the Winter Olympics is approaching. For every athlete, the Olympic competition is a great celebration. I cannot wait."

Lithuanian National Olympic Committee

The Lithuanian National Olympic Committee (LTOK) ruled out a boycott.

"The Olympic Games are an event of the entire world, an entire Olympic movement, not just the host country,” it said, noting that the International Olympic Committee abides by the principle of political neutrality.

"An athlete's career is a short one, while Olympic Games are the most important event they are preparing for; longer than a year or four years. We therefore do not think it would be fair to ask athletes to give up this opportunity for political reasons,” the LTOK said.

Sebastian Coe, World Athletics president

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe believes a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics would only serve as "a meaningless gesture", claiming non-engagement between government officials rarely bears fruit.

"That is a meaningless gesture and a damaging gesture," Coe told BBC Radio.

"No organizing committee or National Olympic Federation, if I'm being a little blunt here, is going to miss a minister."

Geoff Lipshut, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia CEO

For Geoff Lipshut, Australian athletes are cherishing the opportunity to compete at Beijing 2022. He is also Chef de Mission for the Australian Olympic Team for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games.

"I think going to Beijing and having that opportunity is the most important thing for each of the athletes," he told Xinhua in an interview.