IOC President Rogge (2nd, left) visited the Bird's Nest in
company with BOCOG President Liu Qi (1st,
left). |
(BEIJING, Oct. 24) -- The Beijing Olympic venues are "the best I have ever
seen," IOC President Jacques Rogge made the remarks following an inspection tour
to the venues Tuesday morning.
He said the venues are beautiful and that he was deeply impressed.
Accompanied by President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of
the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) Liu Qi, Rogge visited the National Stadium, known as
Bird's Nest, and the National Aquatics Center, or Water Cube.
At the Olympic venue exhibition center, Rogge was updated on the progress of
the on-going construction of Olympic projects.
Construction for 26 of the 31 Beijing-based competition venues is in
significant progress. Amongst the others, 12 new venues are under construction,
renovation of nine out of the 11 existing venues is under way, and five of the
eight temporary venues are currently under construction.
So far, Fengtai Softball Field, venue for Olympic softball, had been built
and became the first to be put into use in August 2006 when the ISF Women's
World Championship took place.
Having learnt that the construction run smoothly, Rogge showed happiness,
saying that these venues will leave a great legacy for the city after the
Olympics.
Walking into the construction site of the National Stadium, Rogge shook hands
with personnel working for the project. The National Stadium is the main stadium
of the 29th Olympic Games.
Being told that the steel structural trusses of the stadium were successfully
uninstalled on Sept. 17, 2006 to let the stadium carry its own weight, and that
all the steel structures, including the substructures, will be completed by the
end of November, he said to Liu Qi "Very good! Congratulations!"
Walking inside, Rogge marveled at the view of the interior and said the
91,000-seat stadium appears more spectacular and beautiful.
He said the stadium is of quite innovative harmonious design and will become
an attracting spot of the city.
At the Water Cube, Rogge told Liu that the center is splendid and that he is
looking forward to the opening of the Beijing Olympic Games on Aug. 8, 2008.
Also joining the tour were Liu Jingmin, vice mayor of Beijing and BOCOG
executive vice-president; Yu Zaiqing, vice minister of State General
Administration of Sport (SGAS), IOC Executive Board member and BOCOG executive
vice-president; He Zhenliang, IOC member and honorary president of Chinese
Olympic Committee; and Hein Verbruggen, chairman of the IOC Coordination
Commission for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Rogge speaks highly of the
venues. |
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