Olympic movement 'stronger'

By Lei Lei and Yu Yilei (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-09-18 07:39

The Beijing Games has done a lot for the Olympic movement by opening up China to the world, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said Wednesday.

"It contributes to a lot better reception of the world toward China and probably a better reception of the world by China," he told China Daily before attending the Paralympic Games closing ceremony.

"I would say that the Games has opened up China. I think this is a very good aspect ."

The Olympic movement reached its pinnacle in Beijing Games, where a record 11,000 athletes from 204 countries and regions took part.

"The Olympic movement has gone from step to step. Each time the Games has improved and each time the Games is better and better."

A good Games is judged by the way it treats the athletes, he said. "We should never forget one thing, the Games is for athletes this is the main priority."

Rogge was thrilled with the quality of competitions in Beijing, the main reason why he described the Beijing Games "exceptional".