By Lei Lei (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-08-09 07:05

Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), was full of praise yesterday for the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), as the nation marked the start of the one-year countdown.

In a presentation to more than 300 BOCOG staff, the president said they were "writing history not only for China, but also for the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement".

Applauding their efforts over the past six years, Rogge said working with the organizers had been "a wonderful journey" and that over the next 12 months all IOC staff in Lausanne (Switzerland) will run the final lap with them.

Rogge's speech was part of a busy day for the IOC president.

After planting trees at the Olympic Friendship Forest, he watched a test event between China and Argentina at the Olympic Green Hockey Field and then attended the opening ceremony for the IOC Olympic Treasure Exhibition China Tour.

His activities also included meeting State officials and making a presentation at a special one-year countdown ceremony at Tian'anmen Square.

He is scheduled to leave Beijing today.

(China Daily 08/09/2007 page5)