BOCOG: Beijing to host an Olympics with its own characteristics

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 ◆ BOCOG: Beijing to host an Olympics with its own characteristics

Beijing organizers said on Dec.12 that they would give full display to their own characteristics while drawing on the experiences of past hosts in staging the 2008 Olympic Games.

Addressing a press conference to mark the first anniversary of the launch of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG), Jiang Xiaoyu, vice president of BOCOG, said that Beijing, a city without experiences of hosting Olympic Games,should learn from past hosts.

"Only if we learn from what other hosts have done, we would stage the best-ever Olympics in 2008," said Jiang.

While noting the importance of drawing on other hosts' experiences, Jiang said Beijing should also take into account its specific circumstances and reflect its characteristics.

"'Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics, People's Olympics' are the themes for our Games," said Jiang.

Compared with other host cities, the Chinese capital has three major features, according to Jiang. "First, under China's social system, we could gather the national resources for big events," said Jiang.

"Secondly, China's economy is developing in a fast, healthy and sustainable manner.

"Thirdly, all walks of life in the country have great enthusiasm to get involved in the Games," he added.

The "Beijing Olympic Action Plan", which was released by BOCOG in March to solicit public opinions, received great response from the whole country as tens of thousands of people voiced their ideas through letters, e-mails and phone calls

BOCOG then made some amendment to the plan according to social response before put it into effect in July. The action plan serves as the guideline for the city's development during the next six years.

A public recruitment push by BOCOG to fill its 56 positions has also aroused tremendous enthusiasm since October. More than 2,000 applications, as well as over 600 phone calls, 200 e-mails and 1.9 million website hits have been registered by BOCOG.

After making the necessary appraisals of the candidates who pass standard tests in English and their particular area of expertise, BOCOG will make its final selection in January next year.

Jiang also reiterated the commitment that Beijing would stage the Olympic Games in a frugal manner, while meeting the requirements of holding the world's largest sporting event.

Since Beijing is still a city of a developing country, "BOCOG will stick to the frugal and pragmatic principle in hosting the Games," he said.