Sports/Olympics / 2008 Beijing Olympics

Preparation for Olympics progressing as planned
(BOCOG)
Updated: 2006-08-08 17:27

BOCOG has defined the transport coordination and command mechanism. The Preliminary Strategic Plan for Olympic Security and the Plan for Olympic Games Risk Assessment have been completed. BOCOG has signed lodging agreements with 112 hotels to cater the needs of the guests at the Games-time. Food Safety Action Plan for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games has been formulated and implemented. With the support from the Ministry of Health and the Beijing Municipal Health Bureau, 21 medical institutions and a doping test centre for the 2008 Olympic Games have been designated.

Wang pointed out that work on city operations and venue operations has been officially launched.

The Beijing Municipal Government has appointed Liaison Officers for City Operations, City Look, and Culture and Entertainment. In cooperation with the municipal government, BOCOG has formulated the Concept of City Operations, which defines the goals, tasks, coordination mechanism, resources and organizational structure for the work of Games-time city operations in terms of temporary facility construction, environmental protection and energy supply.

On the other hand, work on Olympic venue operations has started. Following the founding of the Venue Management Department, the formulation of the Concept of operations for Venue Operations and the operation of a model venue, the municipal government and BOCOG jointly organized meetings on the work of Olympic venue operations and periphery support. Tasks on venue operations and periphery support have been assigned to relevant districts, counties and municipal departments in Beijing.

Updating the press on the current conditions in Beijing, Wang said spurred by the preparation of the Olympic Games, the social and economic development in the city has maintained dynamic and sound momentum.

People's living standard has seen constant improvement. In 2005, the GDP of Beijing increased by 11.8 percent and the GDP per capita reached US$5,457. A large number of transport infrastructure projects have started. Six roads around the Olympic venues have been built, and the construction of another 25 roads as well as Subway Line 5, Line 10 and Line 4 is speeding up. Beijing's environment quality has greatly improved."Blue sky" days in Beijing accounted for 64.1 percent of the total days in 2005, 15.7 % higher than in 2000. The forest coverage rate of the city has reached 50.5 percent, meeting the target set for 2008 two years in advance.

In addition, the increasingly dynamic cultural exchanges have enriched people's life. Various events including the Beijing International Tourism Cultural Festival have boosted the cultural exchange between China and the rest of the world. Scope and depth of the Sino-foreign cultural exchange in Beijing has reached an all-time high. Civility and moral awareness of the residents is constantly improving. Campaigns to create a sound social environment for the Olympic Games have been launched. A healthier and more harmonious society and cultural environment are taking shape. The city's GDP grew 12.3% in the first half of this year. "Beijing is getting ready for hosting a successful Olympic Games in 2008," Wang said.

From 2007 onwards, preparation for the Olympic Games will enter the test stage. BOCOG will follow the guidelines on Games preparation laid down by the Chinese Government and intensify its work in all functional areas so as to lay solid foundations for Beijing to stage a "high-level Olympic Games with distinguishing features, he concluded."

Wang and Jiang Xiaoyu, another BOCOG executive vice president answered questions on opening and closing ceremonies, volunteers, Olympic torch relay route, Equestrian Committee, Beijing's transport and city planning.



Page: 1234