CHINA: OLYMPICS - British 2012 Olympics minister Tess Jowell visits Beijing 2008 Games sites and expresses concern about pollution

Record ID: 1533912

  • Title: CHINA: OLYMPICS - British 2012 Olympics minister Tess Jowell visits Beijing 2008 Games sites and expresses concern about pollution
  • Date: 13th November 2007
  • Summary: (BN08) BEIJING, CHINA (NOVEMBER 12, 2007) (REUTERS) CONSTRUCION AROUND THE MAIN 'BIRDS NEST' STADIUM DIGGING ON SITE WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITE
  • Embargoed: 28th November 2007 18:11
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA74397UOWGLXF2I2GLL4DVDLL3
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: British Minister responsible for the 2012 Olympics in London visits sports venues for the 2008 Beijing Games and praises progress but expresses concern at pollution.
    British Minister for Culture, Media and Sports Tessa Jowell visited Olympic sites in Beijing on Monday (November 12) as part of a four day trip to China. The minister's trip follows the unveiling ceremony in London of the 2012 Olympic stadium last week.
    This is Tessa Jowell's second visit to the Olympic site in China, but her first in the role of Minister for the Olympics in the UK.
    She said on Monday: "Well, I think that the venues show that China is very well on the way to hosting a wonderful Olympics and you now, ultimately the Games will be judged by, first of all, what they are like for the athletes -- and I am absolutely sure that the athletes will find these some of the best facilities that they have ever competed in. But, of course, the other thing that they have to address is air quality and you know, the chronic problem of pollution and the Chinese are as aware of that as the International Olympic Committee are."
    The president of the International Olympics Committee, Jacques Rogge, has announced plans to set up a daily air quality monitoring system in Beijing. Rogge has forecast a successful Games, but stipulated that some events involving endurance, such as the marathon or cycling distance races, could be delayed for a few hours or a day depending on the weather.
    Despite the air quality worries Zhao Huimin, the Director of the Beijing Organising Committee of the Olympic Games' International Relations Department, was enthusiastic about the Games' benefits.
    "I think that the Olympics are, of course, an economic boost for sport, but the point of the Olympics is not just about the sports stars, that is to say, those who are competing in the Olypmics. Even more important is the fact that everybody participates and surpasses themselves to improve everybody's levels. So, I think that London will also have a great result and raise public enthusiasm for sports and the Olympics," said Zhao.
    Jowell said she will raise her concerns over Beijing's air quality in talks with the Chinese government.
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