London Olympic countdown in Beijing

Lord Sebastian Coe, the chairman of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, released a set of Olympic bicycles at the British Embassy in Beijing on Sunday to promote London's preparations to host a green and sustainable Games.

Along with Coe were the British ambassador to China, Sebastian Wood, Olympic athlete Yang Yilin and Paralympic athlete Lin Furong.

The bicycles, branded with an Olympic slogan "Green Games, Green Future", are designed to encourage embassy staff to take a low-carbon approach to travelling around the city for official business.

During the press conference, Coe said London 2012 organizers and city officials hope bicycles will prove to be a popular form of transport for residents and visitors to the Games next July. The Games' innovative approach aims to protect the environment and resources and promote social inclusion and healthy living.

Yang Shu'an, vice-minister of sport, vice-president of the Chinese Olympic Committee and former executive vice-president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, also spoke at the meeting.

After the press conference, Coe chatted with China Daily about the pressures London 2012 organizers are facing.

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Video: Lin Hanqing

Producer: Flora Yue