January 09, 2007	Tuesday	Zilhaj 18, 1427

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LAUSANNE (Switzerland), Jan 8: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Jacques Rogge has praised Beijing's preparations for the 2008 Olympics saying he believed they would help open China to the world.

As part of his New Year's wish list posted on the IOC website, Rogge said that high expectations were being placed on Beijing and China for the 2008 Games.

“I am confident that we will see further advances in 2007 that will lead to highly successful Games that are introducing Olympism to one-fifth of the world's population and opening China to the world in positive ways,” he said.

Rogge said his main wish for 2007 was to make further advances in clamping down on doping in sport. “My wish is that athletes and coaches do more to speak out about doping,” he stated.

“The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and other sport organisations alone cannot change a situation that continues to cast doubt on the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship and puts the health of athletes at risk,” he added.—AFP