Rogge warns Beijing Olympic organizers of complacency

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge on Monday warned Beijing organizers of complacency, saying a lapse in concentration could jeopardize the success of the 2008 Games.

The Chinese capital has been working around the clock to ensure that everything will be put in place before the world's largest sporting event open on August 8, 2008.

"The main challenge (in the future) is that BOCOG and the people of China must remain focused on the success of the Games," Rogge told Xinhua in an interview.

"The main danger is complacency and believing that things are Okay. You have to stay focused until the closing ceremony of the Games," added the IOC chief.

Beijing has drawn waves of praise from the IOC for its smooth preparatory work since it was awarded the right to host the 2008 Games in July 2001. In 2004, Rogge asked Beijing to slow down its pace of venue construction amid fears that finishing venues too early could incur huge maintenance and financing costs.

"That was two years ago. We don't repeat that today. Today everyone must work very hard," said Rogge, who is currently in Beijing on the occasion of the 5th World Forum on Sport, Education and Culture.

Source: Xinhua