The President of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) also chaired the Evaluation Commission during the bid process and will head a 16-member panel that includes six other IOC members.

His appointment has been questioned, however, due to the doping scandal which has rocked sport in Russia and led to its athletics team being banned from international competition.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Independent Commission found evidence of state-supported drug use - something which Zhukov disputes - and its athletes will miss the Rio 2016 Olympics unless the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) lifts their suspension in time.

"To chair the Coordination Commission on the 2022 Olympic Games is a great honour and serious responsibility," said Zhukov.

"Not so long ago Beijing hosted the Summer Olympic Games and now the city will be preparing for the Winter ones.

"We are in for major and large scale efforts.

"Yet I am positive that China will manage to stage another high level Games, to bring to life the changes for the better approved by the IOC in the Agenda 2020.

"All those appointed to work on the Commission are held in a very high regard."

Other IOC members on the Commission include Gian-Franco Kasper and C K Wu, Presidents of the International Ski Federation and and International Boxing Association.

Dmitry Chernyshenko, President and chief executive of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia, is also among the membership.

Britain's Kate Caithness, President of the World Curling Federation, and Italy's Ivo Ferriani, head of the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation, are among the sporting leaders involved.

"I would be happy to work again with chief executive of Sochi 2014 Dmitry Chernyshenko, heads of a number of international federations, colleagues from the IOC and high-level representatives of the Olympic movement," Zhukov added.

"It is my hope that the expertise we’ve acquired from staging the Sochi 2014 Games will be relevant to contribute to the preparations for the Beijing 2022 Games."

Beijing will make history when it becomes the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics.

The Chinese capital staged the summer edition in 2008, an event widely praised for its organisation but mired in controversy over China's human rights records.

Beijing was awarded the 2022 Winter Olympics by the IOC at its Session in Kuala Lumpur last July, beating Kazakhstan's Almaty by 44 votes to 40.

Ceremonies and ice sports will be held in the city itself, but the bulk of snow events will be held 190 kilometres away in Zhangjiakou.

Lack of snow and human rights concerns are among the issues raised so far.

"It is pleasant that while planning the 'white# Olympic Games in Beijing the IOC pays attention to the Russian experience," said Chernyshenko.

"Thanks to preparation for the Games in Sochi, Russia has received fundamental tangible or intangible legacy, including unique experience in management of mega-projects and sports events."