"The Universiad can be regarded as a rehearsal for the 2008 Beijing Olympics,'' Liu said.

Vice-Premier Li Lanqing has asked the organizing committee to set high standards for the Universiade as a preparation for the 2008 Olympics.

The first simulated practice of the Universiade's organizing system was conducted on Monday in the Capital Airport, the registration center for athletes, the athletes' village and the press center.

"The exercises were successful,'' said Liu after inspecting the rehearsal.

A total of 6,625 athletes and officials from 152 countries and regions had registered for the global students' sports meet by July. The Universiad will run from August 22 to September 1.

It is expected that the total registration of athletes will reach a record 7,000.

The ceremonial parts of the event, including drum team, flag team, mascots and guides serving the opening and closing ceremonies, practiced for the first time on Tuesday.

Chinese Olympic and world champions Deng Yaping and Tian Liang have been named among eight members to run the final leg of the torch relay at the opening ceremony, according to the organizing committee.

It is still not known who will light the cauldron at the ceremony.

During the Universiade, language will not be a barrier for foreign athletes, as Chinese volunteers will act as interpreters for the delegations in English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Japanese, Italian and Arabic, according to the official.

Together with the sports event, a culture festival will also be held, including gymnastic movies, music week, exhibitions and get-togethers, according to Liu.

"Of Heaven and Earth,'' a dance show by the municipal cultural bureau, will be staged for three days from August 24, as a gift to university students from all over the world.

"I am confident that the Games will be the best event in the Universiade's history,'' said Liu.

(China Daily 08/02/2001)