A FIFA delegation, that spent three days in Beijing, has said that it is impressed by the professionalism and enthusiasm of Beijing organisers as they make ready for the 2008 Olympics.
There will be men and women's football tournaments in seven stadiums across China during the Games.
FIFA vice-president Issa Hayatou said:
"I have no doubt whatsoever that the Olympic football tournaments in China will be played in perfect conditions
Our colleagues and friends at BOCOG are very keen to meet FIFA's requirements and I am thankful to them for that."
Friday, March 24, 2006
Thursday, March 23, 2006
London Mayor In Olympic Row
Despite still being six years away, the London Olympics are already mired in controversy.
Needless to say Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, is at the heart of this controversy.
Livingstone has accused the developers, David and Simon Reuben, of stalling work on the London Olympics project; Livingstone has also alleged that this will cost taxpayers £700M.
The mayor claims that the Reubens have destabilised the consortium behind Stratford's planned £4BN Olympic City.
Livingstone, for good measure, then told them to "go back to their own country" and has refused to say sorry.
Livingstone said that deadlines for the planning applications are already being missed and, if this continued, taxpayers may have to cover costs to get building work finished on time.
He said:
"They (the Reubens) do not have a track record of successfully undertaking major developments, or of working in partnership...and without them, collapsing into squabbling and litigation."
He then refused to apologise for his remark in which he told the brothers to "go back (to their own country) and see if they can do better under the ayatollahs"
Adding:
"I would offer a complete apology to the people of Iran to the suggestion that they may be linked in any way to the Reuben brothers."
London Assembly Conservatives have said that the brothers are not Iranian, but born in India of Iraqi-Jewish parents.
A spokesman for the Reubens said:
"If the Mayor cares to have discussions with either David or Simon Reuben, then we are confident that he would arrive at a more balanced view."
Needless to say, the remarks by Livingstone have not helped matters!
Needless to say Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, is at the heart of this controversy.
Livingstone has accused the developers, David and Simon Reuben, of stalling work on the London Olympics project; Livingstone has also alleged that this will cost taxpayers £700M.
The mayor claims that the Reubens have destabilised the consortium behind Stratford's planned £4BN Olympic City.
Livingstone, for good measure, then told them to "go back to their own country" and has refused to say sorry.
Livingstone said that deadlines for the planning applications are already being missed and, if this continued, taxpayers may have to cover costs to get building work finished on time.
He said:
"They (the Reubens) do not have a track record of successfully undertaking major developments, or of working in partnership...and without them, collapsing into squabbling and litigation."
He then refused to apologise for his remark in which he told the brothers to "go back (to their own country) and see if they can do better under the ayatollahs"
Adding:
"I would offer a complete apology to the people of Iran to the suggestion that they may be linked in any way to the Reuben brothers."
London Assembly Conservatives have said that the brothers are not Iranian, but born in India of Iraqi-Jewish parents.
A spokesman for the Reubens said:
"If the Mayor cares to have discussions with either David or Simon Reuben, then we are confident that he would arrive at a more balanced view."
Needless to say, the remarks by Livingstone have not helped matters!
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Bulgaria's Chances Slim
Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has reportedly said that Sofia stands little chance of hosting the Winter Olympics in 2014.
Rogue said that he cannot confirm the short-listed candidate cities that will continue to the next selection round.
Sofia is applying to host the Olympics with its winter sport facilities on Vitosha Mountain.
Austria's Salzburg and Korea's PyeongChang are the favoured cities.
Rogue said that he cannot confirm the short-listed candidate cities that will continue to the next selection round.
Sofia is applying to host the Olympics with its winter sport facilities on Vitosha Mountain.
Austria's Salzburg and Korea's PyeongChang are the favoured cities.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
The Importance of Manners
He Zhenliang, former Chinese Olympic Committee chief and advisor to the Beijing Games organisers, has publicly stated that good manners must be a priority if the 2008 Games in Beijing are to be a success.
Quote:
"It's the rude bus passenger or a witness to an accident who fails to lend a hand that stands in our way of staging an impressive Olympiad.
People are talking about showcasing our culture and the country's economic power through the extravaganza, but I think good manners should be put at the top of our agenda."
He's quite right, and indeed the Chinese authorities are making sure that manners do play their part in the Games.
Beijing authorities have published a series of etiquette booklets, and are deploying "civility supervisors" on the streets.
He also said:
"In Chinese culture, sports are more a way to achieve self-realisation than a competition.
But the Olympic spirit, derived from Western culture, obviously takes an opposite view."
The Beijing Games will be a unique opportunity for West and East to meet and exchange ideas.
Quote:
"It's the rude bus passenger or a witness to an accident who fails to lend a hand that stands in our way of staging an impressive Olympiad.
People are talking about showcasing our culture and the country's economic power through the extravaganza, but I think good manners should be put at the top of our agenda."
He's quite right, and indeed the Chinese authorities are making sure that manners do play their part in the Games.
Beijing authorities have published a series of etiquette booklets, and are deploying "civility supervisors" on the streets.
He also said:
"In Chinese culture, sports are more a way to achieve self-realisation than a competition.
But the Olympic spirit, derived from Western culture, obviously takes an opposite view."
The Beijing Games will be a unique opportunity for West and East to meet and exchange ideas.
Monday, March 20, 2006
The Cost of The Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Olympics are still costing the Australian taxpayers $42M a year, despite the fact that the private sector is now making a profit out of the SuperDome.
The Sydney Olympic Park reportedly cost $38M in government subsidies last year, with another $37M budgeted for 2005-06.
The NSW Department of Sport and Recreation spent $4.2M of taxpayers' money on the Olympic equestrian, shooting and rowing facilities.
The lesson to be learned here is that whenever a politician tells you that the Olympics will make money, don't believe him!
The Sydney Olympic Park reportedly cost $38M in government subsidies last year, with another $37M budgeted for 2005-06.
The NSW Department of Sport and Recreation spent $4.2M of taxpayers' money on the Olympic equestrian, shooting and rowing facilities.
The lesson to be learned here is that whenever a politician tells you that the Olympics will make money, don't believe him!
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