International Olympic Committee (IOC) inspectors held a seminar
yesterday in Beijing, offering the 2008 Beijing Games organizers
advice on hosting the world's largest sporting event.
Hein Verbruggen, chairman of the IOC's Coordination Commission
for the 2008 Olympics, 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 Beijing Olympics organizing
committee--known as BOCOG--thanked the IOC officials for their
candid advice and for sharing their experiences of past Games.
"Your lectures enlightened us on the special requirements of
hosting the Olympics and (will) also help us improve our future
preparations," Liu said.
Earlier, BOCOG's Executive Vice President Liu Jingmin briefed
the IOC officials on Beijing's latest preparations for the 2008
Summer Games and the key tasks scheduled 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, Verbruggen spoke highly of the city's venue
construction work after an inspection tour of the National Stadium
and the National Swimming Center, two major venues for the
event.
The Chinese capital has promised to finish construction of its
sports facilities in time for test events to be held in 2007.
(China Daily February 25, 2004)