Samaranch Expresses Confidence in Beijing Olympics

Former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch has expressed his confidence on Thursday that the 2008 Olympics in Beijing will be a great success for both China and the Olympic movement.

In a video address to the two-day World Sports Summit which opened Thursday, he said that the Games will be successful "If China is really willing to organize a very successful Games" and "If China really knows very well that this Games can be a turning point for the country."

Beijing was awarded the top sporting prize at the 112th session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at Moscow in July where Samaranch stepped down after a 21-year tenure at the most powerful sporting post.

Since Beijing won the bid, the Chinese capital has confirmed on many occasions its commitment to delivering a best ever Games in 2008 with their earnest efforts having won thumbs-up from the IOC.

In today's speech as honorary chairman of the conference, Samaranch said that during the session which he presided over for the last time as IOC president, the IOC made took "two very important decisions."

"One decision was the election of the new president, it is Dr. Jacques Rogge," he said.

"The second important thing for me was to grant the 2008 Olympic Games to Beijing, to the most populated country in the world."

Since Beijing was chosen to stage the Games, Samaranch has missed a few chances to revisit China due to his health conditions.

But Samaranch has cherished fond memory of the country which he had been to for nearly 20 times since 1977.

"The changes in People's Republic of China are incredible and spectacular. You are becoming one of the most important countries in the world.

"I see the people are much happier, the country is growing and growing. you are a real important nation in the world," he said.

( May 24, 2002)