"We are shipping out 40,000 kilograms of material and we have four lorries, which went by sea. They left Spain on May 16 and they arrived in China at the start of July," she added.

Garcia then spoke about the importance of giving blanket coverage to an event as important as the Olympics.

"To start with it is something that only comes along every four years. You have all of the best sports people in the world in athletics, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics... all together in one event."

"For a sports journalist covering the Games is the best thing you can do," she said.

Tuesday saw the president of the Spanish Olympic Committee Alejandro Blanco predict the Spanish would win six gold medals and Garcia explained why there is such high expectation in Spain.

"In 2007 and 2008 Spain has had some very good results in all sorts of sports. In basketball and football, although the football team are not going. We have done well in tennis, triathlon, synchronized swimming - all sorts of different sports - so the people are very excited about our chances in Beijing," she said, before making her own medal predictions.

"I think we will do well in sailing; in 49ers Xavi Fernandez and Iker Martinez are world number one and also reigning Olympic champions. Also in synchronized swimming Spain won four gold medals in the European Championships and has a good chance, while in judo, Isabel Fernandez has already won a gold and bronze medal in the Olympic Games."

"There are also medal hopes in fencing and canoing and we are reigning world champions in basketball, although the USA should win the gold medal," predicted Garcia, who nevertheless was taking nothing for granted.

"The best thing about the Olympics is that there are always surprises," she said.

Finally although it means a month of hard work for everyone involved, Garcia told Xinhua she was very much looking forward to covering the Games.

"You work a lot, but you enjoy it. It is a long hard month, but it is once every four years. I am certain that the Chinese are going to organize an incredible Olympic Games," she said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 24, 2008)