A Games in Beijing will represent the development of the Olympic Movement, said International Special Olympics President Timothy Shriver in Beijing on Sunday.

Shriver expressed support to Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympiad while attending a reception in celebration of a fruitful program of Special Olympics China Millennium March.

"I had had discussions with the Olympic family. I think there is widespread belief that Beijing can run a successful Games, Beijing can make the sports facilities that are necessary," said Shriver.

The American stressed that if Beijing wins the right of hosting the Olympiad, it will mean more than a Games itself.

"Importantly, Beijing can be a symbol of what the Olympic Movement is all about," said Shriver who has been in Beijing for the third time.

"It will bring the Olympic message to Asia, to this great country in China, and show that the developing countries are capable of entering the community of nations in the pursuit of peace and brotherhood," he added.

Beijing, along with Paris, Toronto, Osaka and Istanbul, is bidding for the 2008 Games. The International Olympic Committee will make its final decision at Moscow on July 13.

(Xinhua 06/18/2001)