Beijing bid officials said Sunday that the International Olympic Committee (IOC)'s evaluation report has laid a sound foundation for Beijing's bid in a less- than-two-month race run-in to the final vote on the host nation for the 2008 Olympics.

Liu Jingmin, Executive Vice President of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bidding Committee (BOBICO) told reporters that the report has been an "objective and comprehensive" reflection of Beijing's bid and would help the IOC members have a better understanding of the city.

"It objectively reflects the main features of Beijing's bid and convincingly concludes that Beijing possesses the abilities and credentials to host a Games," said Liu.

"The report provides a true and reliable basis for the IOC members to have a full understanding of Beijing, and Beijing's bid would benefit from it," he added.

On Tuesday during its executive board meeting IOC released the evaluation report, in which Beijing's bid, along with Paris and Toronto's, was rated as "excellent" and a 2008 Beijing Games is believed to leave a "unique legacy" to China and sport.

Liu said that during the remaining days before the IOC takes final decision in Moscow, the most important work for the Beijing bid committee is to be preparing for a high quality presentation, which will be delivered to the IOC general assembly on July 13.

"We shall carefully prepare the 45-minute presentation so that it can fully show our confidence, abilities and credentials to stage such a Games," said Liu.

(People's Daily 05/21/2001)