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Universiade: An Olympic Test
Beijing can help itself in its bid for the 2008 Olympics by hosting the Universiade (a sports competition for university students worldwide) in 2001, George E. Killian, President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), said upon arriving in Beijing on Saturday.
Killian is visiting the Chinese capital for a series of meetings on Beijing's preparation for the 21st Universiade.
He was greeted by Liu Jingmin, Beijing's vice-mayor, at the Beijing Capital International Airport.
"This is the fourth trip to Beijing since we started work with the Universiade, with the vice-mayor and the committee," Killian said.
"From the very first time we came, we knew that Beijing could hold a successful Universiade."
Killian said Beijing had all the facilities to successfully host the sports competition.
"You have more than 100 universities within one city, and with all those universities and with all the volunteers you can guarantee a successful sports gala."
As to Beijing's chances of hosting the 2008 Olympics, Killian said Beijing would make its Olympic bidding much easier if it held a successful Universiade.
"Beijing has good facilities, and also a good many people who are very enthusiastic about winning the bid. With these preparations, the city will be able to hold any kind of international games.
"And what Beijing needs to do is to help itself," Killian advised.
The executive and technical committee of the FISU will meet in Beijing until Saturday to inspect the preparations made by Beijing for the 21st Universiade to be held from August 22 to September 2 next year.
Since being chosen in 1998 to host the 21st Universiade, Beijing has spared no expense for its first world-level sports event.
A well-equipped Universiade village will be completed by April at the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
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