ATR On the Scene in Beijing: Environment, Torch Relay Questions for IOC Commission on 2008 Olympics

IOC Coordination Commission chair Hein Verbruggen. (ATR)(ATR) Admitting that “we are faced with Mother Nature” the head of the IOC commission tracking preparations for the Beijing Olympics admits that all is being done to battle air pollution in the city, but that it may not be enough.

Speaking at the close of the eighth visit of the IOC Coordination Commission, Hein Verbruggen noted that of more than 200 initiatives promised in the bid book to fight air pollution, all of them have been carried out. While he says the number of “blue sky” days in Beijing are on an upswing, Verbruggen also spoke on a day when haze draped the city.

“The problem is not solved yet, that is obvious,” he says.

While pollution-emitting factories have been moved from the city, the booming construction industry is now responsible for generating dust in the air, observed Verbruggen. He says contingencies to deal with the air pollution and its affect on the athletes are being developed.

“We are confident they will work it out,” he said.

On plans for the torch relay and a possible stop in Taiwan, BOCOG vice president Jiang Xiaoyu would not comment on whether an accord had been reached with the Taiwan government.

He says the route will be announced by the end of the month, expressing the hope that “Taiwan compatriots share a common wish” for the torch relay to make a stop on the island.

Reports from Taiwan have said that agreement has been made for the relay to travel onwards to Hong Kong, not mainland China. But there are also reports now that the ruling political party in Taiwan could raise objections to the relay traveling next to Hong Kong.

The Taiwan government has demanded that the torch relay stop on the island be regarded as part of the international relay, not the domestic relay.

“We should know by the end of the month whether our Chinese compatriots will take part in the relay,” said Jiang, who heads torch relay planning as well as media relations for BOCOG.

Verbruggen says he cannot BOCOG media chiefs Jiang Xiaoyu and Wang Hui. (ATR)imagine a country that did not wish to take part in the relay if given the chance.

Also covered in the press conference:

Venues: Verbruggen says a month delay for completion of the National Stadium is not an issue, with the first test event set for May in the new arena. BOCOG’s Jiang says that of the 12 new venues being built for the Olympics, 11 will be finished by the end of the year.

Traffic: “Current congestion must be avoided” says Verbruggen, who says the Olympics would not be able to function under these conditions. Jiang says a wide range of steps will be taken next year to cut the numbers of vehicles on the road during the Games.

Foreign Experts at BOCOG: Verbruggen says it is up to BOCOG to decide when to hire foreign experts, which is now being done. And Verbruggen says it wasn’t so much a matter of foreign experts, but hiring people with experience at past Olympic Games. Jiang says more than 200 foreign staff are already at work at BOCOG.

Opening Ceremony: Verbruggen expressed the hope that the opening ceremony for the 2008 Olympics would reflect “as much Chinese flavor as possible”.

“I hope I don’t have to witness an American pop group during opening ceremony. Let’s put it like that,” he said.