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Moving on to Beijing for a packed day of meetings, the IOC Coordination Commission working group considered progress made by BOCOG on a full range of Olympic Games preparations issues, from venue construction to ceremonies, from city operations to the environment.

'With less than three years to go, we are already looking beyond physical infrastructure and operational aspects to the ways people here and around the world will be touched by the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games', added VERBRUGGEN. 'The work we are doing now should ensure these will be remembered as great Games, leaving a positive sporting, economic and social legacy.'

Liu JINGMIN, BOCOG Executive Vice-President, said, 'We have been delighted to welcome the IOC back to Beijing for fruitful meetings. We have been particularly happy to finalize the location plan, which has been created to ensure effective venue use following the Olympic Games. The IOC has helped us to learn from past Olympic Games host cities. We are using a combination of existing, new and temporary facilities, with some of them located on university campuses to ensure long term demand. We are also making good progress on the social dimension of the Olympic Games; the coming months will see exciting announcements, including the design of the mascots.'