FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IOC Satisfied With Renewed Assurances From Beijing Organisers
Remaining four months must focus on integration to ensure Games-time
delivery of seamless operations and timely decision-making
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission for the
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games today concluded its tenth and final meeting with
the Beijing Organising Committee (BOCOG) confident that BOCOG is on the
right track with its preparations for this summer's Olympic Games, which
begin in just 127 days. The Commission, which is the body appointed by the
IOC to oversee the operational aspects of the Games, spent three days (1-3
April) in the Chinese capital helping to guide the organisers as they work
to put on successful Games this August.
Commenting at the conclusion of the meetings, Coordination Commission
Chairman Hein Verbruggen said: "BOCOG is progressing well with all of its
operations and we are confident that our Chinese friends will put on great
Games for the athletes of the world. The IOC noted an increased level of
support from the government authorities for the Organising Committee, which
will undoubtedly help reinforce BOCOG's excellent work. We were satisfied
by the assurances we received across a number of areas – media service
levels, including internet access, brand protection, environmental
contingency plans for improved air quality, and the live broadcast feed.
BOCOG must now fine-tune its operations over the final four months. The
ability to act as an integrated team, with straightforward processes to
enable timely decision-making will be extremely important. There is every
reason to believe that a gold-medal performance is within their grasp and
that the world will marvel at superb Olympic and Paralympic Games."
In addition to working on some 44 different functions that are tracked as
part of the analysis to gain a perspective of Games preparations – from
sport, spectator services, venues and technology to finance, marketing and
medical services -, the Commission members spent time appraising Beijing's
physical readiness by visiting the Olympic Green and some of the venues
located in this area.
Verbruggen continued: "This being our last Commission meeting – although of
course I will return with a smaller team in the coming months – allow me to
say it has been a pleasure to work with President Liu Qi and his team.
BOCOG has worked relentlessly for nearly seven years now. They, plus the
Chinese people, who are so excited about welcoming the world to their
country, and of course the world's athletes, for whom the Olympic Games are
staged first and foremost, deserve success and a great event this summer."
BOCOG President Liu Qi said: "Since the beginning of this year, the central
Chinese government has further strengthened its guidance of the
preparations. As host country, we will spare no effort or enthusiasm in
making the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games the greatest opportunities
for people around the world to understand, befriend and cooperate with each
other."
President Liu also expressed his sincere gratitude to the IOC Coordination
Commission for its continued support and assistance. He pledged that BOCOG
will continue to work closely with the Coordination Commission to achieve
the common goal of ensuring successful staging of the Beijing Olympic and
Paralympic Games.
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