Smooth co-ordination key to Games' success
By Guang Li (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-12-16 06:04

Good co-ordination is the key to successfully hosting the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, according to Greek Alternate Minister of Culture Fanny Palli-Petralia in Beijing yesterday.

Palli-Petralia played a leading role in the preparation of last year's Games in Athens.

And she said she was "very impressed" with the way Beijing was building up to its own hosting of the event in three years.

"There are many factors to ensure the success of such a big event, such as good planning, co-operation, flexibility and know-how. But of all the factors, good co-ordination is crucial," Palli-Petralia told China Daily before leaving Beijing after attending the first meeting of the Sino-Greek Joint Committee on Olympic Co-operation.

During the meeting, the Greek side made a presentation on a wide range of matters, such as safety and security in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, venue layout and operation, management and co-ordination of health services, as well as media support and publicity.

The Chinese side, headed by Liu Peng, Minister of the General Administration of Sports, briefed the visitors on the progress of the preparations for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

"I am very impressed with the progress in the preparation for the Beijing Games and I am confident of a unique Games in 2008," said Palli-Petralia.

She said she had visited some of the Games venues during her trip to Beijing and was "especially impressed" to see thousands of workers working in the below-zero temperatures.

China and Greece agreed to set-up the Sino-Greek Joint Committee on Olympic Co-operation in May, following a proposal by Chen Zhili, State Councillor. Since then, the two sides have been involved in co-operation on a number of areas, including the incorporation of Athens' experience into Beijing's preparatory work and the exchange of athletes and cultural activities.

"The two governments have agreed to co-host the Year of Greece between September 2007 and the end of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 to further promote mutual understanding between the two nations, with the agreement to be signed early next year," Palli-Petralia said.

"By hosting the Athens Games, we have got some experience. Good or bad, we would like to share our know-how with our Chinese counterparts.

"Beijing may still have a long way to go and may have to deal with a lot of challenges, but when each individual accepts that he or she is responsible for the success of the Games, you can bet on success."

(China Daily 12/16/2005 page3)