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Rogge: Olympics offer great legacy for China
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-08-08 09:35
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) believes more than ever that the 2008 Olympic Games offer a great legacy for China to manage and sustain, IOC president Jacques Rogge said on Tuesday.
Rogge, who was opening the first seminar of the Chefs de Mission for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, said that the Games provide the opportunity not only to enjoy sporting excellence but also a chance for people to learn more about a city and country on the global stage.
President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge speaks during an interview in Beijing August 6, 2007. Rogge said that he thinks the Beijing Olympics will be a significant force for good in China but cannot be expected to resolve all the issues facing the country.[Reuters] |
"Bringing Olympic values to one fifth of the world's population is arguably one of the most exciting projects in Olympic history," he said. Rogge said BOCOG has done "a fantastic job" and "programs driven by the Games related to environment are building best-practice examples not just for today but for future generations in China."
Noting that air quality is a challenge for Beijing's preparation for the Games and that IOC is paying much attention, Rogge said BOCOG has outlined a number of contingency plans to put into effect next year if necessary.
"It is important to stress that our Chinese colleagues are doing their utmost to deal with this challenge," he said. "We are very hopeful the matter will be tackled effectively." To mark the one year countdown to the opening of the 2008 Games, the first seminar of the Chefs de Mission kicked off Tuesday in the Chinese capital.
"The holding of the seminar aims to conduct face-to-face exchanges and help BOCOG listen to advices and suggestions for preparation of the 2008 Olympic Games," said Liu Qi, president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG).
Liu stressed that BOCOG will follow three principles in the provision of Olympic services, namely, to abide by IOC rules and international practice; to adopt a unified standard in treating all foreign guests and to respect individuality by paying attention to detailed service.
Focal efforts will be made to the protection of environment, traffic service, ticketing, the arrival and departure of service, services at the Olympic Village, medical treatment, enrollment of volunteers as well as organization of "Good Luck Beijing" sport events, he added.
The Chefs de Mission Seminar, which will last until Thursday, attracted representatives of relevant IOC bodies, major international sport federations, hosts of 2010 Olympic Winter Games and 2012 Olympic Summer Games, and Chinese and foreign media.
According to Olympic practice, the seminar is held one year before the Olympic Games, aiming at briefing NOCs on the progress of the preparatory work for the Olympics, hearing NOCs' views and suggestions and fostering communication and exchange among members of the Olympic Family.
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