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BOCOG determined to win 'decisive battle' in 2007
(BOCOG)
Updated: 2007-01-04 11:41
The Beijing Olympic Games organizers are engaged in new tasks in 2007 to better prepare for the 2008 Games, with the rehearsal of the Olympic Torch Relay and Opening and Closing ceremonies high on the agenda.
In a recent interview with the official website of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the China Central Television (CCTV), Vice Mayor of Beijing and Executive Vice President of Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) Liu Jingmin revealed BOCOG's work plan in six areas.
New challenges
By the end of 2007, construction of all Olympic venues will be completed for test events.
The Games-time operation system will be in place through a total of 26 test events to see if the venue equipment, technical apparatus and software can meet the Games' requirements. The venue operation teams will be formulated in 2007 to take part in the test events, as 99 percent of competition-related issues will be solved at the venues.
Rehearsal of the Opening/Closing Ceremonies is scheduled for the second half of 2007.
Preparation for Olympic Torch Relay has entered the key phase in 2007 when the basic image elements such as the look of the Torch, uniform of torchbearers and Relay route will be announced.
The volunteer recruitment will be extended to people across China and overseas and the volunteer teams including those in the command system will be formed.
Preparation for the Paralympic Games will continue, to cover such areas as the gradual purchase of equipment for Games-time use and the planning of the competition schedule.
Torch Relay scheme to be made public in April
Liu said the design of the Torch Relay scheme is in the final stage with technical tests under way, and the scheme will be officially unveiled in April. Being an important image element of the Olympic Games, the Torch not only reflects national characteristics, but also bears a large content of technology. Since the Relay takes a long time, the Torch needs to withstand weather tests including wind and rain interference. Besides, it should be light in weight for torchbearers' convenience.
In its bid presentation, Beijing promised to bring the Olympic flame to the world's highest peak of Mt. Chomolangma, also known as Mt. Everest. That is becoming true with the strong support of the State General Administration of Sport and relevant departments of Tibet Autonomous Region. The people involved in the program are being trained.
The Torch Relay in Mt. Chomolangma will be an unusual practice as it not only has to be realized at the planned location but also will see the holy fire carried to the 8844.43-meter peak at a specific moment to be shared by TV watchers around the world. A test ascending is planned for 2007 to obtain first hand data and experience for a flawless Relay in 2008.
Ceremonies scheme to be put into rehearsal
In the second half of 2007, the scheme for the Opening/Closing Ceremonies will be rehearsed after fruitful research and design in 2006. Liu praised the diligent work and innovative ideas of the creation team of renowned artists and advisors and expected more talented people to join the program.
A year of "decisive battle"
Liu described 2006 as a year of "assaulting fortified positions" and 2007 of "striving to win the decisive battle," when Olympic preparations entered the final stage.
According to the experience of International Olympic Committee (IOC), the 7-year preparatory period from the bid victory to the staging of the Olympic Games is divided into 3 stages and the 2007-2008 stage is considered the final one to see everything in order.
In 2006, remarkable progress was made in the construction of major Olympic venues such as the "Bird's Nest" and "Water Cube," the Olympic pictograms and Paralympic Games mascot were unveiled, over 240,000 people in Beijing applied for volunteers, the IOC finalized the Olympic competition schedule, ticket prices for Olympic sports sessions were announced, and the Chinese government issued regulations on reporting activities in China by foreign journalists during the Olympic Games and the preparatory period.
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