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Rogge says London needn't be better Beijing Olympics

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-25 10:56

LONDON -- International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge Monday told London organizers of the 2012 Olympics not to try to match the high standards set by Beijing.

Concerns surfaced even prior to the current global economic crisis that how London could match the success of this year's Olympics in Beijing, which is labeled as a landmark event in many aspects with its massive scale, state of the art stadiums, and nearly flawless organization.

President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge addresses during the European Olympic Committees 37th General Assembly in Istanbul November 21, 2008. [Agencies]

While giving thumbs-up for the Beijing Games, the Belgian provided relief to London on the opening day of the IOC Beijing Debrief in which Olympic organizers meet to learn from the knowledge of Beijing.

"I am sometimes asked, how will London possibly outshine Beijing?" Rogge said at a lecture entitled "Advancing the Games".

"The answer, which I have repeated many times, is that it doesn't need to - London just has to be London."

The IOC chief claimed that there was no best or greatest Games and advocated self identity for host cities.

"There is just 'different'," he said, "Each Games are unique. It is not the amount of money spent that determines how good a Games is. It is also the unique and inspiring atmosphere created within the city. I'm sure London will do very well there."

As the credit crunch took hold, London is struggling to secure private funding for two major projects: the estimated one billion pound athletes' village and the 400 million pound media centre.

Organizers have also scrapped some temporary venues planned in the original bid to stay within a 9.3-billion-pound budget.

Rogge, aware of London's financial situation, reiterated his confidence in London's success.

"I am conscious that we come out of the enormous success of Beijing, into difficult economic times," he said.

"The Games have survived difficult times before. The Games remind us that the transient difficulties of life can be overcome through hard work and determination."

Rogge also said that forthcoming Games, including 2010 Vancouver Winter Games and London 2012, will be the first to implement recommendations by an IOC panel in 2003 on limiting the size and cost of future Olympics.

"London has learned from this, and it will build its Games around legacy and sustainability.

"It will use existing and temporary venues, and the city's existing infrastructure. It will only build facilities that will be valued and used by the local community long after the Games are over."

Rogge said that the physical impact of the Beijing Games on China has been immense including huge improvements in infrastructure and environment.

"These measures will improve quality of life for millions of people," he said.