A 23-member IOC delegation is in Beijing for a three-day visit to inspect the city’s preparations for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and provide with the expertise for the event.
IOC Sports Director Gilbert Felli said that the IOC is to work with the BOCOG as a team and they are here also to see what help the organizers need. “We are here not to monitor or order the organizing committee”, he said.
He added that the IOC has had a Transfer of Knowledge program ready for the organizing committee and experts in different fields will be sent here if the Games organizers request.
The IOC will also hold seminars in different fields with the Beijing’s organizing committee (BOCOG) to ensure there is a “good understanding on the level of the preparation” and the hosts won’t lose time in their build-up to the Games.
Liu Qi, President of the BOCOG said BOCOG’s preparations for the Games have been mainly focused on a series of fundamental work since the last IOC visit in late April.
He said, “Beijing has worked out an initial construction plan of Olympic projects. The land exploitation and preparations for the bid for those projects are already underway”.
As for the Olympic marketing, Liu said the Olympic Look project has been kicked off following an Olympic design conference held early last month and BOCOG has started inviting tenders for the logo.
Liu said, “by the end of this year, we will have the Olympic logo and a new emblem of BOCOG. Meanwhile, we are pacing up to pave the way for the Olympic marketing which will be carried out next year”.
Fourteen departments, including the project, sporting and communication departments, have been set up so far. Liu said, “we have established an effective supervisory system and made corresponding regulations. In the near future the public can raise questions about our work through a special telephone line and e-mail address. We are subject to their supervision”.
Liu also said the “Beijing Olympic Action Plan” which will serve as the guideline for the city’s development during the next six years are being carried out.
