"Beijing's Security Budget for the 2008 Olympic Games can be divided into two main parts: To Safeguard the security of all participants and to control any unexpected out-break of highly contagious epidemics like SARS. We're still working on details of the budget through thorough researches and an exchange of experiences with previous Olympic hosts like Athens. The specific plan will be available in 2005."

Liu Jingmin, Executive Vice President of the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee, made the announcement at a press conference that marks the end of the four-day Athens Games debriefing in Beijing. He spoke highly of the event, which serves as part of the Transfer of Knowledge, a program initiated by the International Olympic Committee in 2000.

"As the whole world saw, they did a good job in upgrading infrastructure and the operation of venues, cultural events like the opening and closing ceremonies and recruitment of volunteers, just to mention a few. I can say that all the experiences of the Athens Games are thought-provoking and conducive to our organization's work. Of course, we will try to fit these unique experiences into our own work."

And once again, he assured the press that the halted construction work on several Olympic venues, including the state-of-the-art National Stadium, will be resumed soon and be completed one year before the event to allow time for tests and checks.

Liu was also confident that the optimized new design will not affect the basic functions of the stadium, instead setting the bar higher for future Games.

(CRI November 4, 2004)