Verbruggen: If only everything goes like they do now

(BOCOG)
Updated: 2007-01-23 09:25

"BOCOG achieved a lot by respecting everything that they have promised.... There are virtually no delays in delivering what has been promised." Hein Verbruggen said in a recent interview.

The Chairman of the IOC Coordination Commission for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games said, "What we see, when we come at meetings with BOCOG is the prefect preparation of the Games. And I am not exaggerating.

Verbruggen: If only everything goes like they do now

Hein Verbruggen.

"We feel all the time that we are talking with people who are knowledgeable, who have skills in their field, who are intelligent. They have a very, very intelligent approach to, you know, the problems and to the solutions.

"That impressed us -- the coordination commission -- most, which is this very, very detailed, thorough preparation." Verbruggen said, adding that "it is a very comfortable feeling" to deal with BOCOG.

"The construction has gone very well, the infrastructure, the roads, the airports ... but also the whole preparation, all the various issues, like accommodation, like culture, security ... they are living up to their promises.

"I really wouldn't be able to say where they have to improve. I would rather ask them to continue to work as what they do till now because it is a wonderful experience, a great cooperation."

This year will see the implementation of what had been planned in 2006, the chairman continued.

Speaking of the communications, he said "They [BOCOG and the government] are perhaps a bit little too modest [of their achievements]. There are many things that could be told to the world.

"There are such an enormous amount of very positive, very wonderful initiatives" that are taken by BOCOG and the government in the context of the Olympic preparation. "And they are also doing a fantastic job in the field of Olympic education."

On the Torch Relay, he said "I am sure that they will have a wonderful program for the Torch. I am sure that is the same high quality as with the other projects of the preparation."

He also commended BOCOG's decision to keep the ticket prices low for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games as a "wonderful" and "wise" one as "BOCOG has respected their promises" and the IOC are pleased BOCOG has made "the Games accessible for all categories of the population.

"Hopefully if ... everything goes as they go now, that means we have a perfect organization, then I will have little work and can go and see more events." He said in a happy tone.