Prince Albert II of Monaco, also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), visited the Beijing Olympic venue construction sites on Thursday.

 

The Prince said he was deeply impressed by the national stadium known as the "bird's nest", which is due to be completed next March.

 

He also visited the "water cube", or the National Aquatic Center, another landmark among the Olympic venues to be completed this October.

 

"China has already contributed a lot to the Olympic movement. I hope this will be not only a very successful games but the one that embodies the spirit," he said.

 

He said that he would return to Beijing with high expectations for the opening ceremony on August 8 next year.

 

Also the vice president of the IOC Athletes Commission, he praised the planned accommodation for the Olympic athletes after visiting a sample apartment in the Olympic village.

 

Prince Albert II arrived in Beijing on Tuesday afternoon for a four-day state visit. This is his first visit to China after taking office on July 12, 2005.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2007)