President Hu Jintao
met visiting International Olympic Committee (IOC) President
Jacques Rogge, invited to attend China's 10th National Games in
Nanjing on Wednesday.
He welcomed Rogge and other visiting IOC members, expressing
gratitude to the IOC for its contributions to the development of
Chinese sport.
Hu said the National Games is the biggest and the highest-level
sports meet in China and a rehearsal of the 2008 Beijing Olympic
Games to evaluate Chinese athletes and further enhance preparations
for the Olympics.
Rogge said he was glad to meet Hu again and was grateful for
being invited to attend the National Games.
Hu said Olympic preparations are strictly being implemented with
the help of the IOC, and the government attaches great importance
and extends its full support to them.
The IOC has maintained sound relations with Beijing's organizing
committee (BOCOG) in their efforts for a high-quality Olympic
Games, said Rogge, adding that Chinese athletes made remarkable
achievements at the Athens Olympics.
(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2005)