CHINA / Center

China full of confidence for Olympics
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-08-08 18:17

BEIJING - China's preparations for the 2008 Olympics are on schedule and going smoothly, Games officials said as the clock ticked to exactly two years before the opening ceremony.

Construction of Olympic venues, the signing of sponsors, curbing the city's traffic woes and even efforts to improve the manners of local citizens are on target, Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games (BOCOG) officials said Tuesday.

"Under the full support of our government and people, all types of preparation work for the Beijing Olympic Games are going smoothly, according to schedule," BOCOG secretary general Wang Wei told reporters.

"The conditions for Beijing holding a successful Olympics are becoming more and more mature."

Wang said work on all 37 competition and 76 training venues would be finished by the end of 2007.

China's financial goals are also being met with revenue from the Games expected to exceed original targets, Wang said, insisting that the pirating of Olympic goods would not put a big dent in earnings.

And while the city is suffering from increasing traffic and pollution problems, Wang and other officials expressed confidence in measures to reduce the number of cars in Beijing during the Games.
Page: 12