NOC Observers Look to Learn the Ropes in Guangzhou

Observers from NOCs of different countries and regions have visited Guangzhou during the Asian Games, where they hope to learn lessons from the city in hosting large-scale sports events.

Katarina Witt, Chair of the Munich 2018 Bid Committee, said it was an important experience to come to Guangzhou for they can learn a lot through seeing how everything was organized, such as the opening ceremony.

"Yesterday was already how everything was organized. Getting into the venue, then being at the venue, the opening ceremony and then everything how it was organized coming back. It went off smoothly, and this is always a great thing. When you just feel like you are welcomed, everybody is here with open arms and everything is really well-organized. I'm sure, for the athletes, they will have best conditions."

With only two years to go, organizers for the 2012 London Olympic Games hoped their Guangzhou trip may help them solidify their knowledge and acquire expertise and knowledge in specific fields.

James Macleod, a representative of the London Olympic Organizing committee of the Olympic Games, has just visited the athletes' village for the Asian Games.

"It was very high-standard. We are very impressed by the services provided there. We are trying to do similar in London. We have a very compact village in part of the Olympic Park. So the athletes will be very close to the venues. So they can well compete."

The Korean city of Inchon, host of the next Asian Games in 2014, has sent staff members, including 13 managers, to stay here up until the end of the Games.
And they have actually been involved in various jobs in the Guangzhou Games ever since preparations got underway.

Shin Yong-suk, External Relations Chairman of the Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee, with the experience here and high technology, the 2014 Games can bring something new to the Asians.

"We may have not as big as spectacular opening ceremony, but we are going to show Inchon and Korea's high-tech, electric technology within our stadiums. We expect to have ever great Asian Games before."

For CRI, I'm Sun Yang in Guangzhou.