The sixteen-member IOC Coordination Commission, chaired by Mr. Hein Verbruggen, made a two-day visit to Beijing from December 3-4, 2002, the first such visit by the Commission since Beijing was awarded the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games a year and a half ago.

The Commission represents the IOC, the NOCs (National Olympic Committees), the IFs (International Federations), the athletes and the IPC (International Paralympic Committee). Prior to the visit, two working group meetings with BOCOG took place in April and August.

Productive discussions were held during the two-day visit, where the two parties exchanged views on the subjects of venue construction, marketing, sport, environment, Olympic village and athletes' services, media and communications, accommodation and technology.

The visit also gave BOCOG the opportunity to present the work they have done during the past year to the representatives of the IOC and to brief the visitors on what the Organizing Committee aims to accomplish in the coming years. The achievements of BOCOG during the first year received very positive and encouraging comments from the Commission. Both parties believe that mutual understanding of the challenges awaiting Beijing and the tasks that BOCOG has to accomplish will lay down solid foundations for long-term friendly cooperation between the Commission and BOCOG in the years to come.

A tour of the city was organized for the visitors, which gave them an opportunity to visit the city's light railway, the forth and fifth ring roads and the Olympic Green, an area of over 1,100 hectares where major venues and media, commercial and cultural facilities will be located.

"The first visit of our Commission to Beijing has been extremely fruitful", said Chairman Verbruggen at the press conference at the end of the visit. When commenting on the achievements of BOCOG, Mr. Verbruggen said, "We have been impressed by the quality of the work and the knowledge and expertise that the organizers have developed, particularly through their close cooperation with former and present Organizing Committees. Solid foundations have been laid down during this first year and the organizers have now clearly identified the tasks to be accomplished in the next twelve months and beyond. The Commission has established a close and strong relationship with BOCOG and looks forward to continuing to work closely together in the future."

The Commission noted that the Beijing Municipal Government has invested in the No. 5 subway line, where work has already started, and in the protection and restoration of historical and cultural heritage sites.

Officials from BOCOG confirmed that all the major tasks originally scheduled for the year 2002 have been accomplished and the focus of the next few months would be on the completion of the Beijing Olympic Action Plan outlining urban infrastructure and services and logistic support for the Games, the start of international bidding for design and construction of the major Olympic venues, the launch of the marketing program and the unveiling of the emblem for the Games.

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