London has a lot to learn from Beijing in preparing for a successful Olympics, Lord Colin Moynihan, chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA), said in London on Tuesday.

British Olympic Association	Colin Moynihan, BOA chairman

Beijing has a remarkable success story in terms of preparation for the Olympic Games, said Moynihan, who has been to Beijing six times and attended all the Olympic Games since 1980, adding that "the construction of Beijing's Olympic facilities and support service is No. 1 in the world."

Beijing has been "greatly transformed" during the years of preparation for the Games, Moynihan said.

"In many respects, Beijing is a new city now," the British Olympic official said.

The lessons London should learn from Beijing, Moynihan said, stressing the words "to learn," is that London should start the construction early as China has done.

It is always better to be early than late in preparation for such a big event like the Olympic Games, the BOA chairman said.

Another lesson London should learn is Beijing's attention to detail, which can be best illustrated by the variety of food China is providing to athletes with consideration to their cultural background.

In order to learn from Beijing, Moynihan said, Britain has sent over 100 officials and professionals to work with their Chinese counterparts.

(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2008)