NTERNATIONAL Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge piled praise on the Beijing Games organization Saturday and said the Olympic Village was the “best ever.”
“I have had the privilege to reside in Olympic Villages since the 1968 Mexico Games, and I have never seen a village like this. It is outstanding,” said Rogge at his first press conference in Beijing on Saturday.
The Olympic Village, which opened July 27, is a 66-hectare compound for about 16,000 athletes and their entourages.
“By all accounts, especially the athletes, the village is the best ever,” he said after touring the compound Friday.
Rogge, who arrived in Beijing on Thursday, also reiterated his confidence in the Games’ success.
“The venues are ready and have produced about 37 test events… we have absolutely no concern for the organization,” he said.
“I’m sure that Aug. 9, the day after the opening ceremony, the magic of the Games and the flawless organization will take over,” he added.
Rogge said about 7,000 to 9,000 athletes would parade at the opening ceremony Aug. 8, and the inclusion of the Iraqi delegation completes the world’s biggest sports event.
“At least four Iraqi athletes are coming, and I hope for a few more at the Games time. This will lead to a total of 205 national Olympic committees and no one is missing,” he said.
Responding to questions that some athletes are to wear armbands to protest human rights in China, Rogge said athletes could freely express their opinions, but propaganda or politics was not welcome.
“The Olympic village is a microcosm of the world… if we allow the protests, it will be the end of cultural harmony,” he said. (Xinhua)