IOC Chief starts tour of China (Xinhua) Updated: 2005-10-12 16:11
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge started his
six-day tour of five Chinese cities on Tuesday, including the visit in Nanjing
to attend the opening ceremony of China's 10th National Games.
Rogge's first stop is Beijing, the host city for the 2008 Olympics, where he
met the high-level officials of the organising committee and visit some Olympic
venues under construction.
He will then bound for Nanjing to attend the opening ceremony of the National
Games on Wednesday night as well as a visit to Nanjing Museum for the sixth
Chinese Sports Arts Exhibition.
The tenth National Games is the biggest ever sport meet in the history of
Chinese sports, and has been regarded as a preview of the 2008 Olympics in
Beijing.
Besides Rogge, more than 10 IOC members will also attend the opening ceremony
of the quadrennial games, including Hein Verbruggen, president of IOC's
Cordination Commission for the Beijing Olympics, and Richard Kevin Gosper, the
Coordination Commission's vice president.
Rogge's next stop is Xi'an, where he will meet local government leaders and
sports officials and pay visits to some historical places like the Terra-cotta
Army Museum and Shaanxi History Museum.
After having a taste of the Chinese history, he will leave for two modern
cities of Qingdao and Shanghai.
During his stay in Qingdao, the sailing venue for the 2008 Olympics, he will
hear the presentation by the local organising committee and inspect the sailing
venue.
His China tour will end up in Shanghai on Sunday when the economic hub of
China will host the F1 Grand Prix Final.
Rogge will attend the opening ceremony of the Grand Prix and watch the racing
before leaving on Sunday night.
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