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Is China ready for the Olympics? | Is China ready for the Olympics? |
(1 day later) | |
Beijing is proud that it has had none of the construction problems of Athens 2004 By Michael Bristow BBC News, Beijing | Beijing is proud that it has had none of the construction problems of Athens 2004 By Michael Bristow BBC News, Beijing |
In the swish surroundings of the former US embassy in Beijing, the medals for this summer's Olympic Games were recently unveiled. | In the swish surroundings of the former US embassy in Beijing, the medals for this summer's Olympic Games were recently unveiled. |
It was the final stage of a process that had seen gold, silver and bronze brought to China from mines in Australia and Chile. | It was the final stage of a process that had seen gold, silver and bronze brought to China from mines in Australia and Chile. |
The preparations for other aspects of the games also appear to be on track - organising officials say they are confident that everything is in place. | The preparations for other aspects of the games also appear to be on track - organising officials say they are confident that everything is in place. |
But while venues and transport facilities seem ready, there are doubts about some other Olympic plans - not least as regards Beijing's poor air quality. | But while venues and transport facilities seem ready, there are doubts about some other Olympic plans - not least as regards Beijing's poor air quality. |
'Absolutely confident' | 'Absolutely confident' |
Jiang Xiaoyu, a senior official with Beijing's Olympic organising committee, was at the former embassy complex for the medal ceremony. | Jiang Xiaoyu, a senior official with Beijing's Olympic organising committee, was at the former embassy complex for the medal ceremony. |
There is great excitement ahead of the opening of the Games on 8 August | There is great excitement ahead of the opening of the Games on 8 August |
"We are fully prepared for the opening of the Olympic Games. All preparations are in place," he said after posing for pictures with the medals. | "We are fully prepared for the opening of the Olympic Games. All preparations are in place," he said after posing for pictures with the medals. |
Mr Jiang said the last few weeks would be spent on the final details; perfecting the command and control system and training venue staff. | Mr Jiang said the last few weeks would be spent on the final details; perfecting the command and control system and training venue staff. |
The International Olympic Committee, which awarded Beijing this year's summer games in 2001, seems equally pleased with preparations at this stage. | The International Olympic Committee, which awarded Beijing this year's summer games in 2001, seems equally pleased with preparations at this stage. |
Giselle Davies, the IOC's communications director, said: "We are absolutely confident that everything that needs to be in place will be." | Giselle Davies, the IOC's communications director, said: "We are absolutely confident that everything that needs to be in place will be." |
That is no small feat. At the Athens Olympics four year ago, there were constant worries that competition venues would not be finished on time. | That is no small feat. At the Athens Olympics four year ago, there were constant worries that competition venues would not be finished on time. |
Spruced up | Spruced up |
Beijing has experienced no such problems - and is proud of that fact. | Beijing has experienced no such problems - and is proud of that fact. |
In some places high walls have been built to hide Beijing's shabbier districts All 31 competition venues in the city - 12 of which have been built specially for this event - are finished. Some were ready months ago. | In some places high walls have been built to hide Beijing's shabbier districts All 31 competition venues in the city - 12 of which have been built specially for this event - are finished. Some were ready months ago. |
The main 91,000-seater arena, known as the Bird's Nest because of its unusual design, was declared ready last month. | The main 91,000-seater arena, known as the Bird's Nest because of its unusual design, was declared ready last month. |
When it won the right to host the Olympics, Beijing also embarked on an ambitious plan to improve the city's transport network. | When it won the right to host the Olympics, Beijing also embarked on an ambitious plan to improve the city's transport network. |
It has built subway lines, introduced new buses and taxis, and earlier this year opened a stunning new airport terminal. | It has built subway lines, introduced new buses and taxis, and earlier this year opened a stunning new airport terminal. |
City streets have been spruced up in order to give the best impression - in some places high walls have been built to hide Beijing's shabbier districts. | City streets have been spruced up in order to give the best impression - in some places high walls have been built to hide Beijing's shabbier districts. |
And officials appear to have attempted to bring more order to the city's often chaotic streets - particularly in older and poorer areas. | And officials appear to have attempted to bring more order to the city's often chaotic streets - particularly in older and poorer areas. |
Some street vendors have disappeared, and many migrant workers are being told to leave the city because they do not have permission to stay. | Some street vendors have disappeared, and many migrant workers are being told to leave the city because they do not have permission to stay. |
Tips on behaviour | Tips on behaviour |
About 8,000 workers will be responsible for keeping Beijing's notoriously smelly public toilets clean and well stocked with soap and paper. | About 8,000 workers will be responsible for keeping Beijing's notoriously smelly public toilets clean and well stocked with soap and paper. |
On any given day, should there by an air quality problem, events could be re-scheduled Giselle DaviesIOC spokeswoman Foreign athletes, dignitaries and spectators will see a much smarter, cleaner Beijing when they arrive for the start of the games on 8 August. | On any given day, should there by an air quality problem, events could be re-scheduled Giselle DaviesIOC spokeswoman Foreign athletes, dignitaries and spectators will see a much smarter, cleaner Beijing when they arrive for the start of the games on 8 August. |
Beijing officials have also been working hard to prepare the public for what is probably the biggest international event ever held in China. | Beijing officials have also been working hard to prepare the public for what is probably the biggest international event ever held in China. |
Slogans, posters and information sheets have been put up across the city, telling people how to behave. | Slogans, posters and information sheets have been put up across the city, telling people how to behave. |
There have been numerous campaigns to get rid of habits foreign visitors might find unsavoury - spitting being the most obvious example. | There have been numerous campaigns to get rid of habits foreign visitors might find unsavoury - spitting being the most obvious example. |
Many people, including central Beijing resident Wang Kuiying, agree with the campaigns. | Many people, including central Beijing resident Wang Kuiying, agree with the campaigns. |
"We need to be civilised, welcome the Olympics and develop a good attitude. Everyone is clear about this," said the 70-year-old. | "We need to be civilised, welcome the Olympics and develop a good attitude. Everyone is clear about this," said the 70-year-old. |
Pollution fears | Pollution fears |
Ensuring security is another major concern; tens of thousands of soldiers, police and volunteers - ordinary people - will be patrolling the streets in August. | Ensuring security is another major concern; tens of thousands of soldiers, police and volunteers - ordinary people - will be patrolling the streets in August. |
But not everything appears to have gone according to plan - for much of the past few weeks Beijing has been enveloped in smog. | But not everything appears to have gone according to plan - for much of the past few weeks Beijing has been enveloped in smog. |
The city was due to spend more than $12bn (£6bn; 7.7bn euros) cleaning up the environment before the games, and some of that was to go on improving air quality. | |
But Mike Tancred, media director for the Australian Olympic Committee, said his country's athletes were worried about Beijing's air pollution. | But Mike Tancred, media director for the Australian Olympic Committee, said his country's athletes were worried about Beijing's air pollution. |
"I know the Chinese authorities are doing their best to take cars off the roads and close factories, but it's still a problem," he said. | "I know the Chinese authorities are doing their best to take cars off the roads and close factories, but it's still a problem," he said. |
The IOC believes most athletes will be unaffected by the pollution, but those taking part in endurance events lasting more than one hour could be at risk. | The IOC believes most athletes will be unaffected by the pollution, but those taking part in endurance events lasting more than one hour could be at risk. |
"On any given day, should there by an air quality problem, events could be re-scheduled," admitted the IOC's Giselle Davies. | "On any given day, should there by an air quality problem, events could be re-scheduled," admitted the IOC's Giselle Davies. |
If that happens, the city's smog, and not the otherwise good preparations, could be the abiding memory of the Beijing Olympic Games. | If that happens, the city's smog, and not the otherwise good preparations, could be the abiding memory of the Beijing Olympic Games. |
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