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Before leaving for Osaka to continue their tour of 2008 Olympic
Games candidate cities, the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Evaluation Commission gave Beijing a reason for optimism.
Inspired by generally positive words from the Olympic inspectors
on Saturday, top officials from the Beijing bid committee said their
confidence with regard to the bid has been amplified.
"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," Liu Qi, Beijing's mayor and president
of the bid committee, said yesterday at a news conference.
"We are able to and will host a most outstanding Olympics,"
he added.
Despite staying in Beijing for a brief four-day visit, the commission
officials said that they were able to get "a fairly good picture
of the city.".
The 17-member team, which has been charged with relaying information
about Beijing's ability to host the Olympics to IOC members, heard
detailed reports on 17 subjects and visited a total of 27 spots,
including sports venues, during their stay in the city.
The inspection team is forbidden by IOC rules from comparing candidate
cities, but members of the team gave Beijing a glowing review.
The most impressive memory the team will take back to the IOC, commission
Chairman Hein Verbruggen said, is witnessing the overwhelming support
for the Games demonstrated by Beijingers.
Also impressive, according to Verburggen, was the massive US$12
billion clean-up effort the city has undertaken, he said.
"We have tried to determine the level of support for the bid
and I think we have found great public support here," Verbruggen
said, verifying Beijing's claims that more than 90 percent of its
residents are in favour of hosting the Games.
"The fulfilment 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," the
evaluation team leader added.
Wider support, stretching even across the Taiwan Straits, has been
actively encouraged by the Beijing bid committee.
Taiwan authorities have reportedly suggested the island would be
willing to host some of the events if Beijing is awarded the Olympics.
"That is proof that our compatriots in Taiwan share our 2008
aspirations," claimed Tu Mingde, secretary-general of Chinese
Olympic Committee.
Tu declined to rule out the possibility of moving some Games events
to Taiwan.
"Beijing is willing to discuss the issue with Taiwan according
to the 'one-China' principle if it wins the bid. But any decision
on the issue needs IOC approval beforehand," he said.
(China Daily by Yu Yilei)
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