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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 08 Aug 2008 Title: Beijing is ready in hours countdown to Olympics -------------------- Beijing - With less than three hours to the long-awaited Beijing Olympic Games, Olympic organisers have announced that "Beijing is ready". Wang Wei, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the Beijing Organising Committee of the 29th Olympic Games (BOCOG), said today was a big day for Beijing and China. "The Beijing Olympic Games starts from today. We are ready and Beijing is ready." He said the infrastructure including sports venues and media venues were ready, the people in the city were ready and the volunteers for the Games were ready to host athletes from all over the world. Altogether 37 competition venues, 87 training venues and six related facilities have all been put into operation. Athletes' registrations have also been completed. A total of 11 438 athletes representing 205 national and regional Olympic committees will participate in the Beijing Games. All arrangements for the reception of members of the Olympic Family and International VIPs are underway and the preliminary football games have started and have gone well so far. "People are excited about the Games and the opening ceremony tonight. I won't disclose the secret, but we did have three rehearsals to let people have glimpse of what it is going to be except for the most top secret one," he said. Responding to who will be the last torch bearer tonight, Mr Wei said only that it would be a surprise. On the concerns about Beijing's air quality, he said: "Outside the air quality is good, though it looks a bit misty. "We cannot judge the air quality by its appearance but should trust the finding. I think tonight we will be lucky. Usually, if morning is misty, the night will be much better." He also said that there was an emergency plan for adverse weather. "For drizzle, everything will just continue. For shower, I think during our second rehearsal, we have some kind of rain, but the performance was continuing. "If the rain gets heavier, something will be modified. We have contingency plans for three kinds of scenarios." Responding to the question about why Liu Huan is selected to sing the theme song, he said it is a good choice, as Ms Huan is well-known. "The Games is an international event, so we not only want to showcase the culture and history of China, but also try to be international and understandable to our friends of the world." As security is always the top job for the Olympic organisers, Mr Wei reiterated that: "We spare no efforts in terms of making the Games safe. "The security forces have been reinforced and we share intelligence with the world's intelligent agencies." The Chinese people consider eight as an auspicious number which is why today was chosen for the opening ceremony. "Hopefully, the good luck will be brought to the opening ceremony. Let's have our fingers crossed and have a good time tonight." said Mr Wei in confidence. BuaNews-Xinhua |
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