OLYMPICS/ Facelift
Olympic Friendship Forest leaves green legacy
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-08-08 17:05
BEIJING - A tract of forest has been added to the green legacy of the 2008 Olympic Games.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge, along with chefs de mission from over 200 National Olympic Committees and local organizers of the 2008 Games, planted a total of 208 trees Wednesday at the Olympic Forest Park in the northern part of Beijing.
According to BOCOG officials, it is the first time in the Olympic history that all the member NOCs of the IOC plant Olympic Friendship Forest.
"Such a ceremony is a symbol of what the Games are _ symbol of friendship, and symbol of respect for the environment," said Rogge.
"I am convinced that the Beijing Games will leave a green legacy, as well as awareness of the importance of a healthy environment, which will remain for future generations," he added.
Olympic Friendship Forest Planting was the latest of Beijing's efforts to improve the city's environment, while air pollution is rising to be the top concern of many Olympic guests.
"If you look around, you must have this (the air pollution) concern, because I don't see the sun and I don't see the blue sky up to now," said Michael Vesper, general director of German Olympic Sports Confederation.
But reports from BOCOG has made Vesper optimistic about a "Green Olympics".
"I'm very much impressed how far the preparation work for the Games is now. We hope we have good and peaceful Games with no pollution and I'm optimistic for that," he added.
Chefs de mission also toured some of the main competition venues in the Olympic Green.
"I have attended eight Olympic Games and the Bird's Nest (the National Stadium) is the most outstanding one. It is unique not only for its nick name, but also for its design," said Otgontsagaan Jugder, secretary general of Mongolia Olympic Committee.
"It tells the whole world that Asia could also have first-class sports facilities."
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