Buenos Aires Supports Beijing's Bid for 2008 OlympicsBecoming the first city to officially back Beijing's 2008 Olympic bid in written form, Buenos Aires expressed hope that more cities could follow them during the bidding campaign.Anibal Ibarra, Mayor of Buenos Aires, expressed their support in a letter to Beijing Mayor Liu Qi on December 1. The letter said that the 3,000-year history of Beijing has demonstrated that the city is fully capable of meeting its targets and holding a wonderful Games. "To stage the Games in Beijing will be the best prize to the efforts and commitments by the Beijing people," said the letter. Dante Quinterno, President of the Internet Argentina company, who represented Ibarra at Tuesday's press conference here, said that Beijing stands a good chance although the bidding war is very hard. "Beijing is a city of the 21st century, it shows the future," said Quinterno."I had a very strong impression of how it changes month by month." He hoped more and more cities could join Buenos Aires in throwing weight behind Beijing, one of the five candidates for the 2008 Olympics, added Quinterno. "We made the first step and the idea is that the other cities follow," said Quinterno. Quinterno, who visited Beijing almost once a month, did not shy away from the problems Beijing is confronted with. "Of course Beijing has some problems with pollution and traffic, but we feel the struggle of people day by day, that is very important. "We feel Beijing is working very hard. The enthusiasm of the Beijing people should be made known to the world," he said. |
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