OREANDA-NEWS. The Beijing Winter Olympics Organising Committee will give competitors access to Instagram and Twitter, which are blocked in China, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

China's internet segment has installed a massive system of state censorship, often referred to as the "great firewall". To date, China has blocked Google, YouTube, WhatsApp, social networking sites Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Clubhouse, Twitch, as well as websites of some of the world's leading media outlets.

"As part of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, and in line with the commitment made by the host city, the Organising Committee of the 2022 Games will provide open internet to all accredited participants within a closed system at key Olympic venues. Hotels will offer Wi-Fi access to the Games network for all accredited participants from their own devices,"- the IOC said in a statement.

Key venues where Wi-Fi will be available to all accredited participants are the Olympic villages, competition and out-of-competition venues and hotels.

The IOC noted that "anywhere within the Beijing and Zhangjiakou areas will also be able to access the open internet service using SIM cards provided by the organising committee in accordance with the tariff plan".

The Beijing Olympics will be held from 4 to 20 February.