The Beijing Organizing Committee of the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG) was established Thursday in the Great Hall of the People with a seven-year-long list of things to do.

"From now on, BOCOG will realize its potential in holding the most brilliant Olympics in history, with support from the people, national government and the International Olympic Committee (IOC)," Beijing Mayor Liu Qi said in front of more than 300 guests, including sports stars, government officials and IOC envoys.

Beijing learned five months ago that it landed its long-sought wish to host the 2008 Olympic Games.

Liu was announced the BOCOG president while Yuan Weimin, president of the Chinese Olympic Committee, was appointed its executive president.

Vice-Premier Li Lanqing, who delivered an inspiring speech during Beijing's presentation in Moscow, led a group of central government officials to the ceremony.

Jacques Rogge, a Belgian and the new IOC boss, sent his congratulations to BOCOG.

"The People's Republic of China has played host to several international sports competitions at all levels and will now, for the first time in its history, organize the Olympic Games," Rogge said. "There is no doubt over the organizational capacity of China."

In his address, Rogge pledged full support from the IOC, which will set up its co-ordinating committee in Beijing in early next year.

"The IOC will provide full co-operation and assistance to the newly-founded Organizing Committee to ensure the success of the 2008 Games," Rogge said.

It will be a welcome helping hand for Liu, who said the Games will be run in an open manner.

"We are trying to learn from other countries that achieved success in hosting the Olympics on aspects like marketing, management, venue instructions, fund raising, service and intellectual protection," he said. "We will exert ourselves to profit from the Olympics."

He said he was expecting an all-out Games that could benefit all Chinese people.

"I wish to see rapid development so that the whole nation could benefit from the Olympics."

Priority will be given to the different venues, including at least 37 stadiums and gymnasiums and another 58 for training by the year 2008.

Simon Balderstone, an IOC envoy who assessed Beijing when he served as an IOC evaluation commissioner, said he believed BOCOG would succeed.

"Although there are challenges, such as the environment, Beijing will deliver its best," he said.

An independent auditing body also will be established to audit the financial records of the organizing committee," Liu said.

(China Daily December 14, 2001)