Olympics Evaluators Impressed by Beijing's Preparations

Feb. 19-20
First to Reach the Beijing Line
The first four groups of IOC Evaluation Commission members arrived in Beijing on February 19. First to arrive were the IOC's Francisco J. Elizalde from the Philippines; and Craig Reedie, from Britain; and National Olympic Committee representatives Carlos Arthur Nuzman from Brazil, and Zimbabwe's Tomas Sithole.

They were soon joined by Jacqueline Barrett from the IOC's administration office. She said the evaluation commission believed that Beijing would make excellent preparations. Also from her office were Carlos Arthur Nuzman, Olivier Niamkey and Stephanie Cabessa. Later came Australia's Simon Balderstone and Robert McCullough, who were met by Beijing's 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee (BOBICO) vice-president Liu Jingmin.

The following day saw the arrival of the remainder of the evaluation commission, including its chairman for the 2008 Games, Hein Verbruggen, from the Netherlands; and its vice-chairman, Gilbert Felli from Switzerland. Also greeted at Capital Airport were Bob Elphinston, Australia's National Olympic Council representative; Els Van Breda Vriesman, the Netherlands; Patrick Baumann, Switzerland; Catrin Norinder, Sweden; and Sergei Bubka, an IOC Executive Board member but better known as the famous Ukrainian pole vaulter. Bubka was representing athletes on the commission.

It was still cold in Beijing during the commission's arrival, but Verbruggen joked that his group's coming would bring warmth to Beijing. He also promised that he would never again let Beijing friends get up so early to meet him.

Feb.21
Initial BOBICO Presentations
Chinese President Jiang Zemin greeted Commission members, led by chairman Hein Verbruggen. The president told the Commission: "China has been one of the most active and dynamic members of the Olympic family, and in the new century, China will, as always, make efforts to promote the Olympic Movement and spread the Olympic spirit."

Verbruggen replied: "China has formulated very active and effective policies for promoting sports, and its national Olympic Committee and other sports organizations have played an important role in this field. This promotes Beijing's Olympic bid.*

The exchange was followed by BOBICO's first-day presentations on China's national, regional and candidate city characteristics, as well as Beijing's plans for Olympic venues and sports facilities.

Verbruggen later said: "We have experienced the hospitality of Beijing people, and we have carefully studied Beijing's candidature files. I am very happy, and thank you for everything you have done for the bid so far. I hope we can work together under the common goal. We wish that the 2008 Olympic Games be an outstanding one. Good luck!"

He and fellow Commission members received a warm welcome from Liu Qi, President of BOBICO and Beijing's Mayor, and all staffers at BOBICO's headquarters. The evaluators showed great interest in a model showing the planned Olympic Park, which they subjected to careful study. The attention of some evaluators was also caught by a work-schedule chart on the wall of the Olympic Research Office. Wang Wei told them it was the timetable for work to be carried out by BOBICO before the full IOC vote in Moscow on July 13.

When one evaluator asked where their visit to Beijing was located on the chart, Wang pointed to a gold line, explaining that the reception given to the Evaluation Commission was a very important part of their work - which was why it was underlined in gold. The evaluator nodded with satisfaction.

When he and colleagues saw piles of banners bearing the signatures of pro-Beijing supporters, pictures they had drawn and souvenirs made by students, another evaluator asked a press officer whether BOBICO received such gifts and support every day, she confirmed the fact. Verbruggen said that press and publicity work was very important to the bid, and that great attention should be paid to them.

Evaluator Simon Balderstone, an environmental specialist from Australia, was attracted to the green plants blossoming in BOBICO's Environmental and Ecological Department. "I have come back to my own office!" he observed.

Feb. 22
Discussion, Not Negotiation
Having the day before concluded its second-day inspection, the IOC Commission spent the morning asking many penetrating questions about Olympics themes that had been presented to them. They persisted with the questions until they received what they considered satisfactory answers from BOBICO. The four-hour, 40-minute session, like all presentations held at the Beijing Hotel, was conducted in a friendly atmosphere. Subjects discussed included the Paralympic Games, the athletes' village and environmental protection.

According to a BOBICO official, the two sides were not negotiating, but exchanging views and discussing how Beijing could organize the best Olympic Games in history. Two new faces were on the BOBICO team - Sang Lan, former member of the national gymnastic team who was injured during the Goodwill Games in New York in 1998; and Qi Kaili, fencing champion at the Far Eastern and South Pacific Games for the Disabled in 1994.

The IOC Commission later conducted inspections in two groups. Sites visited included Gaobeidian Sewage Treatment Plant, the largest in China; Shunyi Horse Racing Course; Beijing Workers' Stadium; Beijing No.4 High School; Wukesong, the area earmarked for construction of the Olympics* basketball and baseball venues; and the Chunshuyuan Green Community. Commission members were warmly received everywhere they went.

When a group of Commission members visited Beijing No.4 High School, each was accompanied by a student speaking in English who expressed the desire of their teachers and schoolmates to host the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. And before their departure, students presented each evaluator with a hand-made photograph album as a gift. Each picture was exquisitely computer-designed by students. The evaluators were particularly delighted to find a photograph of themselves with their accompanying student on the last pages of the albums. These pictures were a mixture of a cartoon and the original photo.

One Commission member said before leaving: "I've made a new friend, and I will send him a New Year card."

Feb. 23
BOBICO Presentations, Third Day
Having listened to BOBICO presentations on accommodation, transport, finance, marketing, legal matters, customs and immigration, Commission members agreed that BOBICO had given satisfactory answers to all questions raised. Commission chairman Verbruggen praised each presentation as "excellent and clear".

Later, IOC visits included Beijing Traffic Control Center; Central Meteorological Station; Beijing Natural Gas Collection and Transmission Center; China-Japan Friendship Hospital; Capital Indoor Stadium; Beijing Shooting Range; Olympic Hotel; Mountain Bike Cycling Course; Laoshao Velodrome; and the start and finish lines for the Olympics* Iron Man Triathlon.

Feb. 24
IOC Group Winds up Visit
Before the final BOBICO-Evaluation Commission session and inspection of sites and facilities, representatives of the two sides exchanged signatures on the commemorative covers issued for the occasion.

Liu Xuan, gold medallist in the women's balance beam at last year's Sydney Olympics, signed her name on an issue of the International Herald Tribune newspaper which bore her photograph. This was at the request of Robert McCullough, President of the UK-based International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation.

Presentations to the Commission embraced medical and health matters; security; technology; communications, media services; "olympism"; and culture. Later, the commission split into two groups for its final inspection tour of Beijing. The group led by Verbruggen visited Beijing Telecom, the city's main telecommunication company, and China Central Television (CCTV).

The second group visited Chaoyang Park, an alternative site for Olympic beach volleyball; the National Olympic Sports Cente; and Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics' existing sports facilities.

The two groups met up at China Millennium Monument where they viewed the China Sports Exhibition, and the National Treasures Exhibition. They then watched a short film made in support of Beijing's bid.

At the farewell news conference, Hein Verbruggen said: "The fulfillment of Beijing's environmental plan, which will take place irrespective of whether Beijing is awarded the Olympic Games, will create a significant legacy for the city." He said it would also improve the residents' life.

He also said his team was impressed by BOBICO's professionalism and in-depth knowledge, and with both the public support being expressed and the powerful backing of China's central government. Verbruggen added: "I [have] confirmed that the picture we got from the city is pretty complete.* He noted that public support was an important factor in evaluating any candidate city.

He was also pleased to note that the BOBICO presented a good plan for sports competitions and paid equal attention to the Paralympic Games.

Feb. 25
BOBICO have spoken of their confidence about Beijing's quest for the Olympics. At the February 25 news conference in the presence of more than 200 Chinese and foreign media representatives, BOBICO President Liu Qi, also Mayor of Beijing, said: "I do believe the IOC will make a selection which will give a big boost and leave a most precious heritage to the Olympic Movement ... and that is Beijing."

He reminded the media that Chinese President Jiang Zemin had indicated to the IOC's visiting Evaluation Commission that Beijing could host an Olympic Games featuring modern characteristics and Olympic charm. And he described the IOC evaluators as "an elite team with rich experience and high-levels of professionalism and commitment", attributes which left a lasting impression on BOBICO and Beijingers in general.

Liu went on: "The assessment [of Beijing] made by the IOC evaluation commission will serve as a strong boost and encouragement to our bid," adding that BOBICO's preparations were "Sufficient, earnest, steady and effective". He concluded by promising: "We will uphold the Olympic ideal and do an even better job in our bid to host the Olympic Games."

Yuan Weimin, Minister of the State Sports General Administration, and President of the Chinese Olympic Committee, said: "The Evaluation Commission, through its outstanding performance in Beijing, has built a good image for the IOC, a body which is going through profound reforms. The Commission's behavior here in Beijing was exemplary. I believe its work will prove to be reassuring not only for the members of the [full] International Olympic Committee, but also for candidate cities."

He added: "The Olympic Movement pursues the principles of mutual respect and fair competition, and we are obliged to appeal for these principles to be honored during the process of bidding for the Olympic Games. We oppose the practice of interrupting the bidding process with political factors."