IOC head arrives in Beijing for talks on 2008 Olympics
( 2001-08-27 11:51) (China Daily)
Newly elected International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge arrived in Beijing on Monday on his first trip to Beijing since it was chosen last month to host the 2008 Olympic Games.
Rogge, who was elected in Moscow to replace former IOC chief Juan Antonio Samaranch only days after Beijing was awarded the Summer Games, was greeted at Beijing's international airport by city mayor Liu Qi.
"There is no major challenge but thousands of challenges for a country to organize the Games," Rogge told reporters on arrival.
"The organization of the Olympic Games is a very difficult to exercise, but we are fully confident you (Beijing) will succeed."
During his two-day visit the 59-year-old Belgian surgeon will hold a series of meetings with Liu, Sports Minister Yuan Weimin -- who is also head of the Chinese Olympic Committee -- and other officials to discuss preparations for the 2008 Games.
Report said that Rogge would probably meet with either President Jiang Zemin or Premier Zhu Rongji, but official confirmation can not be reached yet.
Rogge will also catch a glimpse of the sporting action at the ongoing World University Games and visit the newly constructed athlete's village.
|
