On the occasion of the one-year countdown celebration to the 2008 Olympics, Wang Wei and Jiang Xiaoyu, Vice Executive Presidents of the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee, informed the media from both China and abroad of the latest preparations for the approaching Olympics and reiterated that the Taiwan authority would allow the torch relay to pass through Taiwan so that Taiwan compatriots could also rejoice in the excitement of the Beijing Olympics.

Stadiums and Facilities

The construction of Olympic stadiums and relevant facilities is speeding up, Wang Wei said. The Olympics will need 37 competition stadiums and 56 training stadiums. To date, Olympic Sports Center Stadiums in Qinhuangdao and Shenyang, as well as the Hong Kong equestrian facility, have all been built. Primary structures have been completed on 12 new stadiums, including the National Stadium and the National Swimming Center. Decoration and the mechanical and electronic installations are being carried out. Construction of 11 renovation and expanded projects and eight temporary construction projects have all started. The softball ground in Fengtai District has been put into use. Apart from the National Stadium, which is set for completion in early 2008, because of the opening ceremony, other competition stadiums will all be completed at the end of 2007.

Competition Schedule

The competition schedule is already set. All the 28 major competition events' directors have been appointed. In 2007, the preparation for 26 competition events titled "Good luck, Beijing" is being made against time. The 2008 Paralympics has 20 major competition events and 471 small events. The two Games occur at the same time and in order to make them equally successful, the Paralympic organizing committee is working hard. An examination team for obstacle-free equipment in stadiums has been set up. The construction of urban obstacle-free facilities is going smoothly.

Torch Relay

The 2008 Olympic torch relay work is in full swing and the selection for torch bearers started on June 23.
Tickets

Ticket sales and relevant work is going well. A low price policy has been adopted for the Olympics. A plan for Olympics education targeting the youth has been worked out. Young students are provided with low-priced tickets. By the end of June, a total of 720,000 order forms had been booked and 5.1 million tickets had been sold through application.

Volunteers

The recruitment and training of volunteers is going well. The recruitment of volunteers for the 2008 Olympics and Paralympic Games has already taken place in 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions across the country. This work has also been launched in Hong Kong, Macao and other countries. Applicants exceeded 560,000. The training of the volunteers will take place in test events.

Services for Tourist Groups

Services targeting different client groups have been carefully designed. On January 1, 2007, the State Council promulgated Provisions on the Reporting Activities in China Conducted by Foreign Journalists during the Beijing Olympic Games and the preparatory period and the organizing committee worked out supportive service guides. Agreements were signed with 122 hotels, and members of the Olympic family will stay in the Beijing Hotel and neighboring Grand Hotel, which will also be the headquarters and command center of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the 2008 Olympics. The Paralympic family hotel is also decided. In addition there are 21 designated medical institutions for the Games.

Ecological Environment

China's urban transportation and ecological environment is improving. Based on the concept of a "green Olympics," great efforts have been made to promote the environment, which has helped to improve air and water quality. In 2006, the number of blue and clear skies accounted for 66 percent of the year's total. Campaigns designed to spread knowledge on social etiquette are being carried out with a view to create better social environment for the Olympics.

(China.org.cn)