Beijing Olympics can provide 'long-term benefits'

Beijing can use its experience of hosting the Olympics to benefit the city over the long term, a senior Greek cultural official said yesterday.

Sofoklis Psilianos, head of the General Secretariat for the Olympic Utilization under the Greek Ministry of Culture, said that when Athens hosted the event in 2004, as well as building new sports facilities, the city redeveloped much of its infrastructure.

As a result of investment in the airport, metro system, highways and cultural sites, Athens witnessed increased tourism growth in the years following the Games, he said.