Opening session of International Olympic Committee meeting

Описание: (23 Oct 2007) SHOTLIST
1. Beijing Olympic Tower with countdown clock
2. Entrance of Beijing Olympic Tower
3. International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission meeting chamber
4. IOC members at the meeting
5. The Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) officials at the meeting
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Hein Verbruggen, Head of IOC Coordination Commission:
"It's like a long distance runner, our final sprint could be the difference between the gold medal and the silver one, when it comes to the organisation of the games."
7. Wide of the meeting
8. Mid of He Zhenliang, honorary chairman of China's Olympic Committee (on the left)
9. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Liu Peng, China sports minister:
"Most of the construction work of Olympic competition venues and relevant buildings has been done. The other venues under construction will be ready by the second quarter of next year."
10.Close up of back of Hein Verbruggen at the meeting
11. Cutaway of cameraman
12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Hein Verbruggen, Head of IOC Coordination Commission:
"Once again, we are seeing top quality venues being built for the games. And with a strong tradition of equestrian in Hong Kong, we are convinced that we will see some great equestrian performances in 2008."
13. Wide at the meeting
14. Mid of President of the Olympic Committee of Hong Kong Fok Tsun Ting
15. SOUNDBITE: (English) Fok Tsun Ting, President, Olympic Committee of Hong Kong
"I think one of the most important thing of the equestrian event is how to get the whole city involved. That's very important. We showed them we have dressed up the city, I think the most important thing of the success of the games is getting the whole city involved."
16. Wide members talking
STORYLINE
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday concluded its penultimate inspection of Beijing's Olympic venue completion ahead of the 2008 Games .
Speaking at the beginning of meetings on Tuesday, IOC Coordination Commission chairman Hein Verbruggen likened Olympic preparations to a marathon.
"It is like a long-distance runner," Verbruggen said. "Our final sprint could be the difference between a gold medal and silver medal when it comes to the organisation of the games."
The visit is the penultimate by IOC inspectors before the games open August 8.
The final visit is set for late January.
With 36 of the 37 competition venues set to be completed by the end of the year, the environment has moved to the top of the agenda. The other venue, the 91-thousand seat Bird's Nest stadium, will be ready in March.
Verbruggen and China sports minister Liu Peng said test events this year had been largely successful.
"Many of the participants and the international federations gave us great optimism for the games next August, especially because we still have some time to deal with the issues that did crop up during these sports events," Verbruggen said.
He also lauded the Olympic equestrian venue in Hong Kong, which IOC inspectors visited on Monday.
"We are seeing top quality venues being built for the Games and, with a strong equestrian tradition in Hong Kong, we are convinced we will see some great equestrian performances in 2008," he said.
Fok Tsun Ting, the President of the Olympic Committee of Hong Kong told AP Television the key to successful equestrian events involved the co-operation of the entire city.
"That's very important. We showed them we have dressed up the city, I think the most important thing of the success of the game is getting the whole city involved," he added.
Rogge is also certain to be pressed about it.

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