Rogge: China capable of hosting any big event

Former President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge (R) poses with his wax statue after the opening ceremony of the Nanjing Olympic Museum in Nanjing, Aug 17, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

Beijing will do a "very good job" if it wins the right to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, former International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said in Nanjing on Friday.

In an interview with Xinhua News Agency, Rogge, who is in the capital city of Jiangsu province for the second Summer Youth Olympics, said China has the capability to organize any big event.

"Of course, Beijing is not alone. There are other candidates. But I'm sure if Beijing wins (the 2022 bid), they will do a very good job," Rogge said.

Along with Beijing, Oslo, Norway, and Almaty, Kazakhstan, remain in the race for the 2022 Winter Games. The IOC will choose the host city by secret ballot in Kuala Lumpur on July 31, 2015.

Rogge, who stepped down as IOC president in September last year, expressed his confidence in the successful running of the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games, which officially opened on Saturday.

"I have been privileged to follow the preparations very closely since Nanjing was elected (as the host city). I came four or five times to review the preparations, so I know exactly what you did. It is remarkable. I'm very grateful to the Chinese people and Nanjing for what they have done," said the 72-year-old Belgian.

"My expectations (of the Nanjing YOG) are very high. I'm sure the young athletes will enjoy it," he said.

The former IOC chief is optimistic about the future of the YOG, which was launched four years ago, although some believe that the YOG will be affected by the Olympic Games.

"These Games (YOG) will grow in importance," said Rogge.

"This is only the second time they are being organized. With time the Youth Games will develop. They will prove to be very, very important for the Olympic Movement because it's an ideal way to bring young people to sport and to bring sport to the whole world."

Rogge refused to comment on the IOC's 2020 agenda, the strategic roadmap of the "Olympic Movement" initiated by his successor Thomas Bach.

"For me it's difficult to comment about these changes, because they have not been approved yet. They will be debated in the general assembly of the IOC in December. Only then the decisions will be taken. I cannot comment right now, because this is future," he said.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn