Kuala Lumpur, Aug 3 (IANS): The programme of 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics will be the same as Sochi 2014, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its 128th session here announced.

"The sports are skiing, biathlon, curling, luge, bobsleigh, skeleton, skating, and ice hockey. All seven Olympic sports contributed significantly to the success of the Winter Olympics Sochi 2014, bringing real added value to the programme," announced IOC on Sunday, reports Xinhua.

IOC declared that a proposal from its executive board on the possible inclusion of new events on the programme for Beijing 2022 could be presented to the IOC session before PyeongChang 2018.

IOC Olympics executive director Christophe Dubi and sports director Kit McConnell provided a detailed report on the implementation of the first three recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020, shaping the bidding process as an invitation recommendation, evaluating bid cities by assessing key opportunities and risks, and reducing the cost of bidding.

"Olympic Agenda 2020 brings not only effectiveness and transparency but also opportunities for smaller countries which were a little discouraged by the higher costs and investments recently made by certain organising committees," said IOC Member in Slovakia Danka Bartekova.

"I welcome these initiatives because it means there is a possibility even for smaller countries to bid for the Olympics. A wider range of countries that can apply means a more diverse experience not only for the athletes but also for Olympic fans and supporters around the world."

The IOC granted full recognition to the South Sudan National Olympic Committee (NOC) and the World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) was also granted a full IOC membership.