The visiting International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination
Commission Tuesday gave a high mark to the organizers of the 2008
Games in Beijing after a two-day initial working session in the
capital city.
They were impressed by the detailed and early preparatory work
issued by the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee, praising the
progress that has been made.
And the fact-finding commission said they had enjoyed "very
fruitful" meetings with Beijing Olympic chiefs including
Vice-Premier Li Lanqing, city mayor Liu Qi and Minister of State
Sports General Administration Yuan Weimin.
"I
must say that we have been impressed by the progress that has been
made in a very, very short time," said commission president Hein
Verbruggen.
During the consultations, the Beijing committee went over several
key Olympic drafts - including marketing and infrastructure plans
which detail the expansion of Beijing's subway system and the
building of the Olympic Village and new sports complex.
This is the first contact between the city officials and the
commission, which is a key link between the IOC and Beijing ahead
of the Games. The capital won the right to host the sports
extravaganza on July 13.
And Verbruggen - who also headed the IOC Evaluation Commission that
assessed the city more than a year ago - said he was overwhelmed by
the commitment of the Beijing organizers.
"I
think progress was made possible because the Beijing organizers
respect and stay very close to what they committed themselves to
during the bid phase," he said.
A
commitment on the early finish of the construction of Olympic
venues appealed the most to Verbruggen and his IOC colleagues.
"It is very pleasing to see they have set a deadline for
construction for June 2006, which is also when major preparations
are set to be completed," he said.
Beijing kicked off its multi-billion Olympic build-up programme by
launching an international design competition for two major Olympic
venues - the Olympic Green and Wukesong Cultural and Sports
Centre.
This is an important preparatory effort following the March 28
launch of the city's extensive action plan to guide its
preparations.
The city has earmarked up to US$23 billion for infrastructure
projects in the years running up to 2008, including ambitious
environmental protection projects, new underground lines and a
light rail system. Marketing practices were also being honed in
partnership with IOC staff.
"The consultation progress is well under way and the financial plan
is advanced," said Verbruggen. "It is completely in line with what
the IOC wishes to see."
Asked if there is anything that the commission is dissatisfied
with, he replied: "Frankly and honestly, no."
(China
Daily May 1, 2002)