On August 7, the start of the one-year countdown to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, James Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), congratulated BOCOG (the Beijing Organization Committee for the Games) on its diligent preparatory work. During the Conference of the Heads of the Delegations for the 2008 Olympic Games, Rogge praised Beijing’s efforts towards environmental protection and said he believed that today’s efforts would benefit future generations.

Liu Qi, President of BOCOG, said that in the coming year his organization and the Beijing government would continue to work industriously to further the progress made; strengthen communication and connections with the Olympic Committees in other countries and regions; improve environmental protection, transportation, ticket supply, and recruitment and training of volunteers; perfect the accommodation arrangements for delegations, medical care for players and the Olympic Villages’ environment.

Since July 2001, said Liu, from the time Beijing won the right to host the 2008 Games, a great deal of work has been done, and a great amount of progress achieved. In order to improve city transportation, the government built up 305 km of highway and 159 km of expressway; moreover, it modified 131 public transportation lines, promoted low-price public transportation policies, and improved on the computerized management of the city transportation system.

For the protection of the environment, the Beijing government has proactive energy saving and pollution lowering measures; at the same time it has invested 10 billion yuan in the air quality improvement project. Blue sky days last year accounted for 66% of the year total, and 42.5% of the city area is now green. Beijing has delivered on its promises to the IOC well before the deadline.

The recruitment and training of volunteers is going smoothly as well. More than 100,000 volunteers will participate in the Games and provide services. They will represent the cultural image of Beijing and China, and the hospitality of the Chinese.

Moroever, BOCOG announced on August 3 that the first phase of its ticket application period ended on June 30. There were some difficulties during the actual distribution of tickets, due to a shortage for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, as well as some other popular events, but a surplus of tickets for other events. The Beijing 2008 Ticketing Center is doing its utmost to sort through all ticket applications. Application totals are expected to increase in the next few days as the Ticketing Center continues to receive paper applications submitted through Bank of China locations and via post.

Liu also said that BOCOG had sent the first phase of its ticket distribution plan to olympic committees all over the world, and that the organization would do its best to coordinate tickets supplies and satisfy increasing demands.

(Source: beijingnews, xinhua.net, translated by KANG TAIYI)