Ottavio Cinquanta, member of the IOC executive board, made the remarks Friday during his visit to the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympics (BOCOG).

"You have a great opportunity to use the Games through television of all the world to present China in the modern concept," said Cinquanta.

Since it was awarded the right to host the 2008 Olympics in July, 2001, Beijing has speeded up its modernization drive, spending billions of dollars on 16 new stadiums and gymnasiums.

It has added 500 kilometers to the city's expressways and 40 kilometers of subway line. Industries are being relocated and suburban farms converted to forest as part of an endeavor to massively improve the city's environment.

Cinquanta, also president of the International Skating Union (ISU), stressed that besides meeting the requirements of IOC, BOCOG should focus more on how to make the 2008 Games a special event for the Chinese people.

"I'm sure that you will provide an excellent Olympic Games, a sport event for the world, for the IOC and for the federations," said Cinquanta, who is to watch the on-going Four Continents Figure Skating Championships.

"But more importantly, it's for China. The 2008 Olympics will be so important that it becomes a special event in the Chinese history," he added.

(Xinhua News Agency February 14, 2003)