International Olympic Committee (IOC) inspectors held a seminar yesterday in Beijing, offering the 2008 Olympic organizers advice on hosting the world's largest sporting event.
Hein Verbruggen, chairman of the IOC's Co-ordination Commission for the 2008 Olympic Games, and IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Gilbert Felli spoke about the roles and responsibilities of the government in hosting the Games. They also discussed important operational issues such as transportation, infrastructure and security.

Liu Qi, president of the organizing committee -- otherwise known as BOCOG -- thanked the IOC officials for their "candid" advice and for sharing their experiences of past Games.

"Your lectures not only enlightened us on the special requirements of hosting the Olympics but (will) also help us to improve our future preparation work," Liu said.

Earlier, BOCOG's Executive Vice-President Liu Jingmin briefed the IOC officials on Beijing's latest preparations for the Summer Games and the key tasks set down for this year.

"Beijing has entered the `second' phase of its preparations for the 2008 Games," he said.

"The 2004 to 2006 period will be the time for full-scale preparations."

On Monday, Verbrugeen spoke highly of the city's venue construction work after an inspection tour of the National Stadium and the National Swimming Centre, two major venues for the event.

"We're extremely pleased to see how fast the work has been advancing," Verbruggen said.

The Chinese capital has promised to finish construction of its sporting facilities so test events can be held in 2007.

Verbruggen says he is confident that Beijing will achieve its goals.

"We're very sure that, as it has been promised by BOCOG, the works will be finished by the end of 2006, which is an absolute record," he said.

"I don't think there's ever been a Games being ready... so early."

Editor Dany
 
China Daily